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FREE access to e-books/audiobooks about dementia (including "The 36-Hour Day")
I have been using OverDrive for years. OverDrive allows library card holders to borrow digital content (e-books, audiobooks, magazines) for free. I read or listen to them via the Libby app. (Libby is a free mobile app developed by OverDrive.) Today, I learned that anyone can sign up for the Dementia Australia library and…
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Yes, I'm still around
Most of you will not recognize my name because my wife passed 3 1/2 years ago, and I rarely get on here much anymore. I hope everyone could make the most of the situation for Christmas. There may be a ray of "hope for this dreaded disease. It's not here yet, but the news is encouraging.…
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DW's wallet and losing her purse
Two times now my DW has misplaced her purse. After the first time I placed an Apple fob in her purse to locate it. She has credit cards, a debit card, her driver's license (but she doesn't drive anymore), her Medicare cards, and a checkbook. She is used to carrying her purse with her everywhere. Has anyone had any…
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communication
https://www.facebook.com/reel/776766741094996
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I need advice please
My DH (64) is mid stage 5 dementia. We live about 20 miles out of town in the country. I still work full time in town Monday thru Friday. He no longer drives and is at home alone while I work. I have installed cameras so I can check on him visually throughout the day. In the last few months his short term memory has become…
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Morose Valentine
sad today because my DW of course doesn’t know it’s Valentine’s Day and also because it’s dawning on me I can no longer do many of the things I used to enjoy. Feeling a little imprisoned in my own home. Just needed to vent and say these things. I didn’t want to vent to family and friends and bring them down today.
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A new kind of charity?
Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a charitable organization that helped caregivers who may be financially unable to afford part time help. I mean there’s meals on wheels types of things out there I suppose. But it seems that dementia is reaching epidemic proportions these days. There’s a lot of different charities out…
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Heroes Behind The Curtain
I posted this a while back in the section for those of us who have lost a loved one. I remain active here and there. As I read so many posts here, especially from those new into this world Dementia has thrust upon you, I thought I would share it here. No one wants this role and only those who have to take on the role of…
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Sad progression
Life is rough but I'm getting by. I'm lucky to have my daughter at home to help. From where my DW was 6 months ago to now is striking. I have to help her get her clothes lined up to wear. I need to remind her to shower. I am administering her medications. Today while I was out only 30 minutes at Home Depot my daughter…
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New to this Group
I am caring for my DH who has had cognitive decline over the past 4 yrs. As I write this, I can't believe it's been that long. I am trying to abide by the rules, however find myself breaking the rules, especially when I am in the middle of something, (like doing taxes today). He has alcohol dependance with a dementia /…
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The caregiving doesn't end with placement in MC.
My DH has been in MC for about 1 1/2 weeks at one of the only standalone mc facilities in my city, which happens to be near my home. I keep reading that caregiving doesn't end with placement and that is so true. When I go to visit him, with a day or so off between visits, he is inevitably lying on the bed (he doesn't…
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Would my LO be better off in Assisted Living/Memory Care?
I am curious in getting the thoughts of from other caregivers on the above question. My spouse is currently classified and moderate/borderline severe dementia. She is still able to perform most of the ADLs. While I can currently care for her at home I am wondering if she would be better served with the higher level of…
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A Spark of Joy and Repeat TV Shows
i just want to share my spark of joy. From necessity good things can happen. I was feeling so very flat and sad a bit indulgent and I was also feeling defeated and tired. We are involved with Sailability an all inclusive sailing group. When the opportunity came up to get my power boat licence, enabling me to legally drive…
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Something Good Happened.
I’ve known my husband has Alzheimer’s for quite a few years, but recently was told he has mixed dementia Alzheimer’s/vascular. Even though he hasn’t smoked in years, the damage was done. He has phone contact with 3 siblings. One brother lives an hour away with his wife. We have not seen them in 12 years and her name was…
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Hello …
caregiver for mom (plus mom of 4, wife, 2dogs, 1cat a turtle … and a partridge in a pear tree … anyway … YES … my mom is always cold doesn’t matter what time of year the house is at a constant 76* … so WE dress for that temperature ALL year round … we figured out her comfort zone and we adjust.
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Follow up on “Can’t Sleep” post
Me …miss needy here again. I am still really struggling so I got an appointment with my Dr for this afternoon. Since the Geri Psych appointment with DH isn’t until Mar 9, I figured I need to help myself before that before I collapse. I can only get 2-3 hours of sleep but not because he wakes me. I just can’t sleep. I can’t…
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Feelings Without Memory in Alzheimer Disease
In a previous post, I mentioned the book Grace for the Unexpected Journey (Barr, 2018). It's a 60-day devotional for caregivers of people w/dementia. Today's message (Day 42: Feelings and Moments) included information about a research study (Guzmán-Vélez et al., 2014). This study, Feelings Without Memory in Alzheimer…
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Weight Loss Question
DH with ALZ is in mild stage with some moderate stage crossover behaviors. I am concerned about a 12 pound weight loss on his already thin body. He eats as he always has. His appetite is good but this weight has just dropped off over several months. PC doc seems unconcerned (I am seeking another PC). The only thing I can…
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My DW is always hot, then cold, then cold, then hot. Repeat...
I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this phenomenon. My DW is always complaining about being too cold. I then turn up the thermostat, and she then complains that she's too hot. So, I turn the thermostat back down. The process repeats and the hot and cold complaints are less than a minute or two of each other.
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He gave up his license!
DH's driver's license expired on his birthday at the end of January. He has been compliant with not driving after the kids and I expressed concerns six months ago and he failed an evaluation set up by his neurologist but still believes that "He deserves one more chance until something happens." I had been dreading taking…
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Valentine's Day when it feels more arrows than wings
Came across a touching article about VDay as a caregiver. Posted on a site with a lot of politics & has a religious bent so I'm not posting the link, but easy to find . Just search for "When you’re carrying the love alone on Valentine’s Day Peter Rosenberg" {hugs to everyone}
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First MC visit in a week
Today was the day I finally got to visit my DH in MC, a week after his placement. There were many scenarios playing in my head about how he would respond to me, but I never dreamed of the situation I encountered. One of the issues I had at home with him is that he would only let me do his personal care, which got to be…
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Stage 8
My vibrant, joyful, beautiful Suze passed peacefully last night. True to the fighter in her, she fought for 11 days without food or drink, giving a frustrated growl with her last breath. She finally let go to be free from this mean, mean disease, but she wasn’t happy about it. Ha! She was the love of my life. I’ll miss her…
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First time posting.
I posted this in the general area but think I probably should have posted it here instead I’ve been lurking around for a while, but my kids suggested I actually post in hopes of finding others who are going through the same or similar thing My husband (74) was diagnosed with MCI due to AD and Vascular Cognitive Impairment…
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Can't sleep
I can't seem to sleep trying to wrap my head around the almost daily changes my DH is having with this disease. For the past 2 wks he had to be wheeled from the living room to the bathroom to the bedroom or he would fall. For the last two days he's been back to walking fine but is unable to understand or communicate. Went…
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What to do?
My DW is 70 and I am 67. My DW has Alzheimers. Currently she has forgotten owr 32 years of marriage. At least she still recognizes me. She at times thinks she is still in high school. I don't know where to start or whe r e to go. I am disabled with mobility issues. I can no longer keep up our house. I fix our food,normally…
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Thank you for baring your souls
Sometimes I take a break from reading posts on here, because the feeling of dread can be overwhelming. There's so much to fear of what is to come… Just when we think it can't get any worse, it does. I'm sure you know that feeling. My heart breaks for each and every caregiver on here and it cuts deep sometimes. The grief I…
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Learning to be patient.
Hi, I'm 74 and my wife is 76. How does everyone learn to hold their tung? My wife has had Vascular Dementia for almost 2 years. She contently for what day it is. Our Daughter is now making up her pills. I have to dress her am/pm. Help her shower, bathroom needs. I'm now cooking all meals. I have hired a person to clean the…
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Incontinence bed pads
DH fell and is in rehab. He was continent before the fall, but I want to be prepared for when he comes home. I am currently looking at bed pads - both washable and disposable. Does anyone have a recommendation?
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Mom Passed Away & Dad’s Struggling - Advice Needed Badly
Hello! I’m in bad need of some advice. My Mom passed away on January 4th and my Dad, who is in the middle stage of Alzheimer’s, is really struggling. They were married for 66 years and had been living in assisted living for the past couple of years. Neither of them could drive or leave the facility with our help. They were…