Sleep, sleep, sleep.

Ronk246 · November 23

Hi y"all,

My DW is early/mid stage three, we have been married 56 years. She was diagnosed two and a half years ago, now in mid stage 3, by my assessment. She is very affectionate and appreciative of my efforts in caring for her needs. She is now sleeping at least 14 hours a day. Her mother was on a similar path when she was living with dementia 25 years ago.

When she's awake, she spends most of her time playing solitaire on her cell phone. As much as I hate this disease, I know I could have it much worse.

CindyBum · November 23

That's how my DW in the early stages, but she watched cable news incessantly. Solitaire on her phone sounds nice.

Like you, I feel like I've been fortunate thus far in how this disease has progressed. My DW remains good-natured and able to connect some still. Still heartbreaking, but I try to count my many blessings.

charley0419 · November 24

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/71300/sleep-sleep-sleep

if I didn’t know better I’d think I wrote that. Sounds like my DW even the 56 yrs married

Carl46 · November 24

57 years for us. My wife slept until after noon today, ate lunch, and went back to bed. I guess I only fed her once today, but it was pretty good (tossed salad with chicken breast, chocolate cake, iced tea). I don't know if dementia wears them out, or if they're finally getting back the sleep they lost when we had babies.

SDianeL · November 24

it’s the disease. Their brains are trying to make sense of their new world and they get tired and shut down.

Babz0226 · November 24

Does that mean they are progressing more. My 78 DH stage 6 some stage 7 ??

rplourde50 · November 24

same thing here. Lots of sleep and solitaire. She also likes to work in her garden and will go out there and weed for a couple of hours. I think that’s good fresh air and sunshine.

trottingalong · November 24

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/229379#Comment_229379

that’s wonderful she still works in her garden. Wonderful to be outside

Stan2 · November 24

We are in about the same place. Diagnosis 2 1/2 years ago and we're working on our 57th year. My wife spends most of her time either playing solitaire on her laptop or solving sudoku puzzles. She would sleep 14 hours a day if I would allow it, but her neurologist suggested that she would benefit from a regular routine for sleep and meals. I get her up at 7:30 a:m and we start preparations for bed at 9:pm. Occasionally she will nap in the afternoon but for an hour at the most. I can't tell you that our routine is slowing the decline but physically and emotionally she is doing pretty good. She is involved in our life, takes part in conversations and shares opinions. I also can't tell you that maintaining this routine is easy, it is not. The hardest part is the mornings, but as we sit here at 9:30 on Sunday morning she is up, has had a fruit smoothy for breakfast and is having a cup of tea. Please don't think I am suggesting that my way is the best way, or that it is what you should do , but it does seem to be working for us.

Sleep, sleep, sleep.

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