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Losing his grip

tonyac2
tonyac2 Member Posts: 68
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in Caring For a Spouse or Partner

Is it typical for PWD to begin dropping things? My DH can’t seem to hold onto anything anymore. Drinks are especially hard and when he drops them, his clothes need to be changed, floor cleaned.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a good adult style sippy cup? I need to do something different and need/welcome your help. Thank you.

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  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 2,054
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    Yes it’s common. Walmart sells several types. Just search for elderly adult sippy cups. Get a brightly colored one. A sturdy TV tray with a deep tray in front of my DH helped. Also search for a thing called a cup cozy. I’ll try to find a picture or link and post it.

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 2,054
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    https://www.amazon.com/Cup-Cozy-Pillow-prevent-anywhere-Couch/dp/B078PVWMM2?gQT=1

  • tonyac2
    tonyac2 Member Posts: 68
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    Thank you @SDianeL the cozy is something I would have never thought of. We just got a new wheelchair van, and he’s spilled two drinks. Couldn’t use a cozy in that situation, so it’ll be no drinks for him in the van. I don’t like how furious I get when he does stuff like that. Some of it leaks out onto to him which I feel horrible about. I’m exhausted, frustrated worn out, and now the drink spilling is just another layer on top of all that. This is a very minor issue but has revealed just how angry I still am @ dementia. I’m the one needing to get a better grip.

  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 5,611
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    @tonyac2

    There are a lot of reasons cups get spilled. Sometimes visual processing is the glitch; some PWD can't judge where things are in space accurately and miss tabletops. Sometimes there's weakness or tremor contributing to spills. I once watched dad suspend his belief in gravity and attempt to drink wine lying down by tipping it and moving it over his head. Twice.

    I like this bottle and use it myself as it is truly spill-proof. It's not insulated, the clear sides make it easy to keep clean. The caveat is that it has a bite-valve, and your DH would need to learn that maneuver to get the liquid to flow.

    Amazon.com : CamelBak eddy+ Water Bottle with Tritan Renew – Straw Top 25oz, Charcoal : Sports & Outdoors

    This is the spendier insulated version.

    Amazon.com : CamelBak Thrive Flip Straw Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle Stone, 20oz : Sports & Outdoors



    IME, it might be easier to introduce the new cup as an upgrade or eco-friendly choice (and getting yourself one) rather than an adaptive/disability consequence of his actions.

    HB

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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