I am forgetting, too

Eloise0304

I usually am very organized, but with the stress of a DH with dementia, I am forgetting appts, lose things, and run around and getting nothing done. I know it is because of the caretaking, and am the ONLY caretaker because family has turned away from us because they just don't want to deal with this private hell

KathyF1

Oh ditto. Same here, I’m very forgetful and “scattered”. I think it’s because of always trying to do everything, while dealing with someone whose behavior is at times out of control. Our brain has limits! In my opinion we probably all go through this.

CarolinaWren

glad to see you here!

I’ve been scattered as of late as well. Work has always been my respite, and right now work is overwhelming as well. Right now I’m telling myself it’s temporary

Biggles

Horrible isn’t it. I make list after list, and have to turn out the pockets in trousers & shorts before washing I find them in my hand bag little scraps of paper, might only be one or two things you know milk and jam plus go to the bank, call one of the children, a 10th birthday gift for next Tuesday etc etc otherwise it’s gone, flown out of the head. Meeting new people there name has gone before the conversations finished. It’s got to be overload it’s exhausting!!

wose

For Sure…. so much I’m getting worried. I put the butter in the silverware drawer 🤨

Gator1976

I’m new at all this since February ‘25. I read the wrong week on my calendar this morning and went took her to her hip doctor and missed a very important EMG test at Mayo Clinic. I’m having trouble keeping up my own health. The diet is suffering too. My LW broke her hip a month ago after developing Foot Drop. So, now I’m dealing with a forgetful, Alzheimer’s patient that can’t remember her PT exercises, not cross her legs or anything else she’s not suppose to do. I’m doing more running around than I ever did my whole like. What happened to enjoying retirement, traveling and doing fun stuff. It’s all gone.

HangingIn

I keep a small spiral-bound notepad on my kitchen counter, and every night before I go to bed, I list the stuff I have to get done the next day. Some of it is very mundane, like laundry. But honestly, if I don't write it down, I'll forget it. It's been really helpful to keep me on track. For big stuff that I only do once or twice a year, like auto maintenance, scheduling appointments, and changing the whole house water filter, I have a binder of Stuff We Need To Know. I put that together long before my DH was diagnosed, so fortunately all I had to do when I started needing to take responsibility for those tasks, I didn't have to do much to update it. That also is kept on my kitchen counter, so I can't miss it.

tonyac2

Same here. I have to write everything down anymore. Can’t hold three or four things in my head. I know it’s from the stress, anxiety and worry of being a caregiver. In addition to forgetting stuff, I’m trying to deal with what I think is unfair about being a caregiver. It’s unfair that I don’t have any downtime anymore. No time away with friends. It’s unfair that my hobbies have been neglected. Can’t ride my bike anymore or walk my dog. There are so many things that I took for granted that I can’t do anymore. Sure, I could bring my husband along, but it’s so much work because he’s in a wheelchair, plus he’s the one I’m trying to get a break from. Downtime is important because it helps me escape the reality of caregiving for awhile. I miss my downtime.