Caring for a healthy Spouse

Karl38

My wife has Alzheimer's, 84 years old with a history of ALZ for 5-6 years. Her memory and cognitive skills are almost gone. She is totally dependent on me for daily living. She takes care of her personal needs. Otherwise she is very healthy. Can handle many tasks given close supervision. Even mows the lawn. She thinks she is normal. She doesn't realize she is being taken care of.

I'm now making major decisions about our housing and her care if I become ill (I am 85 and also in good heath). How long can this go on? Timeframes are very important now. Any advice from others who have been here would be helpful.

Denise1847

Hi Karl,

I am attaching a guide that may give you some ideas of the progression and an estimate of time in each stage, but every patient is different. I hope this can be of help.

Alz stages.pdf

Sunnyside42

Karl,

Your email resonates with me at the moment. My DH is about the same as your DW. He is 86 and in reasonably good physical help. Does a lot of chores (but with an eye on him…otherwise he might pick something besides weeds. He was diagnosed in 2021 and remains easy and pleasant except for an occasional bout of anxiety. I am 81 and figured to be in excellent health. However, after a colonoscopy last week, I now find out I have a mass that is cancerous. Have appointment next week with surgeon. So there you are! The lurking fear that has become a reality. If you can make some move now that would work should something happen to you, it would be wise. We don’t know what is around the bend, and this kick in the pants proves it. I wish you luck and good fortune going forward.

SDianeL

start planning now. You never know what will happen. Things can change quickly.