What do you wish your LO could know about you, do for you, or say to you?

Call me Gram

I am a retired teacher. When I was teaching, one of my favorite books was I Wish My Teacher Knew, by Kyle Schwartz. I believe the book helped me to be a better teacher.

Now, I am a caregiver for my husband (DH) who has dementia. To be a better caregiver, I want to know…

What do you wish your spouse, loved one (LO), or caregiver could know, do, or say to better support you (as a person living with dementia)?

GEH

First off, just you reaching out for advise shows how much love and respect you have for your dear LO. I guess the next thing that I would want, is to be treated as normally as possible for as long as possible. Try as much you possibly can to not be too doting and attentive or overly protective. Allow your LO to retain their independence, decision making abilities and dignity as long as possible. Just my humble opinion. GE H

Dorse

I agree. I'm having difficulty accepting the Alzheimer's diagnosis that I got 4 months ago after having cognitive testing, MRI, lab, and Pet Scan. How to accept this horrible diagnosis???

GEH

You do not accept it!!!! Get off your a**, and fight it with everything you have got. You have already wasted four months. There is so much out there to help us actually help beat this than there has ever been before, or when my mother was diagnosed with it eons ago. I just had my first infusion of Leqembe about a week ago. Was terrified to go. But it was a no brainer. I think I might start with seeking out a really good neurologist. I would recommend one practicing at a place like Barrows Neurological if you are lucky enough to live near one. If your neurologist doesn't jump in with both feet advocating on your behalf, doing everything they can to assist you, fire them and find another one. I wasted three years listening to a neurologist who said oh you have brain bleeds, there is nothing I can do for you. Here take memantine and doneprizil and come back in three months. For three years. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's is devastating. You have giving yourself enough time to feel sad and mourn the diagnosis. We have all been there. Now start fighting. We are all here, rooting for you.

Call me Gram

Thank you! I'm praying I can make my DH's life a little easier! :)

I panicked today when I read a prognosis for Vascular Dementia. I'm not ready to lose him. All the advice you can offer is appreciated!!