Where to find help

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I doubt that such coaching exists. It sounds hopeful, but it also sounds like wishful thinking. If there were a systematic approach that worked consistently, i think we'd all know about it. The disease is so unpredictable in terms of what areas of the brain are affected and also in its speed of progression, that i think you may find yourself scrambling. We spouses end up compensating for our loved ones' losses, but most of it is by the seat of our pants. I'd be very wary of anyone who tries to sell you stuff, most of us are vulnerable in the sense that we wish there were something out there that worked.. Maybe your wife's doctors can be more explicit in terms of what they were recommending.

they may have been referring to aids like digital clock, written notes, calendar etc. Those things helped my husband early on for a very short period of time. As the disease progresses the person doesn’t retain training or coaching. My husband couldn’t learn to use a walker and both PT and OT tried. He couldn’t operate the TV remote or a phone. As others recommended I would clarify with the Neurologist what they meant.

Hi tcspencer - Totally agree with what's been posted. Especially what Iris has said about her driving. If she is still driving safely, please keep on top of that often.

Also make sure paperwork is in order - DPOA and HIPAA accesses.

Sorry you are dealing with 'this'. and make sure you take care of yourself as well.

In May of 2022, my husband was initially diagnosed with MCI and his doctor said he had an 80% chance of advancing to Alzheimers. 2 plus years later, he is definitely now Alzheimers. I can tell you that at first I hoped we could gain back some of what was lost, but I learned that everything lost is lost forever with Alzheimers. HIs memory will not return and he will continue to progress in the disease no matter what. He has been placed on Donepezil and a year later, when his memory lapse was at 2-5 minutes, Memantine was added. neither drug will stop Alzheimer's from progressing but may slow it down and I believe they have. Today, we function as a normal couple from all appearances but in reality he is pretty much dependent on me. He doesnt drive now, he doesnt make decisions (big or little), struggles ordering from a menu, does only simple tasks and I have had to restrict his phone because scammers have sold him on all kinds of stuff. The last month or so he has been talking about memories that simply never existed and he gets things really mixed up (example: we were watching the sunset at a local lake this week and out of nowhere, he thought it was July 4th and wanted to know when the fireworks would start). I have no real advice, just wanted to share where I am and hope you will find something helpful in my post. My best to you!!

This sounds like a formal Best Practices program. It's nice to see that professionals are taking Best Practices seriously.

Iris

Since most PWDs have anosognosia, which is different from denial, the caregiver must use alternative methods to accomplish goals.

Iris

After 3 years of my seeing and documenting a clear difference in his memory challenges vs our friends who are like aged, our doctor referred my husband to a Neuropsychologist. This doctor did an initial evaluation, asking a series of questions very quickly and that led him to have an in-depth testing done. That second (in-depth) testing was a 4 hour question session with my husband. The results were his diagnosis, which was MCI with an 80% chance of him advancing to Alzheimer's, which he did about a year later. I am not familiar with beta amyloid or Ptau, or saw it noted in his diagnosis, so I am going to say no to that question. Hope this helps.