Too old for this/too young for this

SpiralStylz

Newly diagnosed spouse of 40 years. He’s in denial, I’m in panic mode and end times mode. And it’s only just started. Twist? He doesn’t want any treatment. Anyone have any experience with no treatment? Or know how it may go?

SDianeL

Welcome. Sorry about your spouses’s diagnosis. He’s not in denial. He has Anosognosia—When People Don’t Realize They’re Impaired. He can’t understand he has dementia. Sadly there is no treatment. It’s a progressive disease. If it’s early onset there may be trials but there are side effects and it doesn’t sound like he would agree to that anyway. The trials may delay progression by a few months at most. Learn all you can about the disease so you can help him. Read the book “The 36 Hour Day” which was recommended by a nurse. Search online for dementia caregiving videos. Tam Cummings and Teepa Snow have good ones. Get your legal affairs in order. Meet with an Elder Care Attorney right away. You will need DPOA, Medical POA and HIPPA forms. Just tell him you’re getting yours done and take him with you. Do not tell him it’s because of his diagnosis. Here’s a chart of the 7 stages of dementia that lists behaviors. Some behaviors may show up later in a different stage but it will give you a general idea. This forum is the best place for help and support.

without

SDianeL

SpiralStylz

I’m so very new to all of this and especially this site. On top of everything all these abbreviations on this site are confusing and distracting. Our doc also said she doesn’t like to discuss stages? Is this normal? Who knows. It’s early days and I can honestly say I’m already ready to throw in the towel. Spouse is stubborn and arrogant in denial not in denial because he doesn’t see he is sick. He just prefers to hide from problems. Just normal for him. And the amount of decline that has happened recently is frightening. We all noticed things beginning to change within the past couple years. Except for spouse of course. But in 6 months, quite a lot. Not promising