New here

deputystink

Thought I would introduce myself to the community and glad I found it. DW was diagnosed recently with AD after a lengthy and somewhat frustrating medical journey. She’s 55 and pretty far along as far as the scales go-in the 6’s. Anyone have any insight into the awareness of the disease. She seems pretty aware of what’s going on despite needing help with a lot of daily activities. It just seems by now she wouldn’t be aware of her condition, which would be more humane if that makes sense.

Also, what gets us through the day is humor to laugh at things that otherwise are pretty dam serious. My heart goes out to everyone here and it is some comfort knowing you don’t have to go it alone

Carl46

Welcome to the worst club with the best members, deputystink. Awareness varies. Most people with AD don't know what's going on, but my wife is well aware that she is "losing her marbles" despite needing help with dressing and much else.

Glad you have a sense of humor. I couldn't live without it.

mammasgirl

I am new here too.

Welcome to us both.

My mom is level 7 and although she is 85-95% in there she cannot talk or can hardly walk or move much at all. She is in severe pain, she gets depressed but we are trying different medications which I feel so guilty for cause it seems they interfere with her being able to walk that 1 hour a day she may have been able to walk before but she was so depressed. It is so hard that she is actually in there and unable to communicate. I have tried so many things and she is just not interested except for possibly at 8:00pm- 1:00 am.
I am staying with her at skilled nursing for now for almost 3 months while she recovered from Covid and a UTI. Those brought her from a level 6 to a 7 immediately. I just don’t want her to be alone plus she is a huge fall or flight risk if she decided to. Memory care was ok but she has a high level of pain from her life. Otherwise she is healthy. Just cannot talk or function without 1 on 1 help.
It is so hard trying to figure out next residence. Ugh. I hope you get to keep the humor. It is so much better.

clarinetist

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/70951/new-here

Hi and welcome, Deputy. My husband was aware he had Alzheimer’s for most of the past six years. Now nearing the end of stage 6, he’s only vaguely aware that something is wrong. I hate to see him this far progressed, but am glad that he’s becoming unaware of what he has. Hope you can have the same mercy for your wife.

SusanB-dil

@deputystink and @mammasgirl Welcome to you both, but sorry for the need to be 'here'.

My mom is aware, so is one of the few. MIL has what is known as anosognosia. It is not denial, but rather that she is totally unaware that anything is wrong. Both are on different meds that can help for a while.

Yes, we understand a lot here… all too well… unfortunately.

Rule #1 - don't argue with a PWD. Rule #1 - MUST take care of yourself. Rule #2 - see rule #1, both of them.

H1235

Welcome! My mom will tell you she has dementia, but would say it’s very mild and she is a little forgetful. The reality is her logic, reasoning and planning are very very bad, she tires easily and has no attention span. She is correct that her memory loss is minimal, but sees dementia strictly in terms of memory. She does not understand why she is in AL. We are wasting her money, she just wants to go home and there is no reason in her mind she shouldn’t be able to. I’m not sure that my MIL would have said she had dementia (she has passed). If I brought laundry detergent for her (it’s just given to the staff) she would be unaware that we even needed to give them laundry detergent. She was kind of content and oblivious. When I brought laundry detergent in for my mom she was angry. She said she could just pick it up at the store herself, knowing and understanding that I would need to drive her to the store. She knows I would have to drive her to the store, but doesn’t understand why I would just bring it in for her. I honestly think the anosognosia is the worst symptom we are dealing with with my mom. Everyone is different. I’m glad you found our group.

Victoriaredux

I tend to acknowledge that my PWD has issues only when they bring it up but downplay it "gosh who doesn't have memory issues at your age!" That seems to calm and comfort which is the goal . They were told at the beginning .

I also tell new Doctors before they met the PWD to not start with a ghastly oral chart review " So XXX I see here you are xx years old with advanced dementia and xxxxxxxx" Wooo- that was a bad visit.

SusanB-dil

@Victoriaredux - Wow!! You'd think a doctor would know better!! Dang!

MWebster

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/226062#Comment_226062

I am new to this sight. My sister was diagnosed in June after her PET scan. We are finally having our follow-up with her doctor on Nov 7th. How does the doctor know what level/stage my sister is at? What questions should I be asking?