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Wife with Early Onset Alzheimer's

Zummy
Zummy Member Posts: 1
5 Care Reactions
Member
in Caring For a Spouse or Partner
Hello,
My wife is almost 41 and late stage 5 with EO. Both her brothers as well as her mother have already passed from the disease. Its been a struggle lately to say the least but both my parents and her parents are watching her during the day. We need to transition to a caregiver for 30-40 hours a week while I work. We do have long term care insurance in place, but they have no "preferred provider" in our area. My question is, what questions do I need to ask when scouting for potential care for my spouse? We did move everything into a trust several years ago when we got the diagnosis.

Comments

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 3,155
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    Member

    Welcome. Glad you’re here but not for the reason. Sorry about your wife. I would ask for someone with dementia experience. Be specific about your needs. Will they do light housekeeping, prepare meals, laundry or help with showering, incontinence? Find out if they can give her medications. In some states a CNA can’t. Will they need to take her for walks? Do you have animals? Many caregivers wont drive her anywhere. Some agencies have minimum hours so ask that. The agencies usually come out and evaluate your needs and have you sign a contract before they send someone.

  • Michele P
    Michele P Member Posts: 342
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    Member
    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/74800/wife-with-early-onset-alzheimers

    I am sorry you are here. If you have an Oasis Senior Services where you live, they can recommend an agency for in home care with people who work with dementia patients. This is extremely important. We were also given a recommendation from the Mayo Habit Program which helps with MCI and dementia patients. Lock up anything of value before you bring someone into your home. A family member had jewelry stolen by a bonded in home care worker. Put RING cameras or other video cameras inside your home.

  • Colacho10
    Colacho10 Member Posts: 57
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    Member

    That's a difficult spot to be in. Sorry you have to go through all that.

    Make sure to ask about their emergency procedures and how they handle sudden changes in your wife's behaviour or health. Also, confirm their backup plan if your assigned caregiver calls out sick. Finally, clarify what kind of activity logs or reports you will receive regarding your wife's day, such as meals eaten, activities, and mood.

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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