A suggestion for early to midstage caregivers

RetiredTeacher · January 25

I have learned so much from those of you who share your experiences with this awful disease. To stay I was depressed and overwhelmed when I learned my DH has VD is an understatement. You have taught me so much about this disease, it's progression, what to watch out for, how to prepare myself as best I can for what is coming. When I realized my DH would lose his ability to communicate I decided wile he is still able to express his thoughts i would have him call my cell phone and tell me that he loves me. I told him I was going to let it go to VM so I would have it recorded and could play it back as often as I wanted to. I did not tell him I want it recorded so I could hear his voice telling me how much he loves me when he can no longer speak or doesn't know who I am. I am so glad I have that and have played it often. He can still recognize me and is still able to speak, although word finding and expressing sentences is becoming more problematic. I am glad i have his voice recorded because some day that's all I will have left of him.

Bobo59 · January 25

How lovely! I'm sure many will do the same now. It will bring you comfort in the days ahead. Bless your heart.

trottingalong · January 25

that is a wonderful idea!

jgreen · January 25

thank you, @RetiredTeacher

Chris20cm · January 26

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/75189/a-suggestion-for-early-to-midstage-caregivers

This is brilliant!

SDianeL · January 26

I wish I had done that. It would mean so much to hear his voice now. 💜

tonyac2 · January 26

I have old voicemails from my DH that I enjoy listening to once in a while. In some of them he ends with, “love you babe” And I respond silently, miss you babe.

Biggles · January 26

i wish I had done this. I miss hearing my DH’s voice so much so do our kids. Hindsight is perhaps good for others travelling this road. Thank you.

White Crane · January 26

I have several recordings on my phone of my DH singing or just talking. Sometimes I listen to them so I can hear his sweet voice. He only talks in word salad these days.

persevere · January 26

Wow, great idea. I could see this expanding to messages to kids to keep and maybe letters before they lose their abilities. Wish I had done this.

Karen711 · January 27

Nice Idea!!

Michele P · January 27

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/75189/a-suggestion-for-early-to-midstage-caregivers

When we visited my mother-in-law in memory care, I took videos of her with my husband. These are now cherished memories. He plays the videos often.

beachwalker5 · January 27

Thank you for this suggestion! Phone videos of our LO's interacting with family, grandchildren are also probably a good idea if they are in an early stage. Reading this forum has made me realize my DW and I may still be living in the "good old days".

Timmyd · January 28

I am pretty tech savvy and I have a large collection of digital photos, videos, and audios of the the many good times we had together over the years. I am glad they exist and perhaps there will come a day when I look at them with fondness and appreciation. Right now, looking at and listening is just a depressing gut punch reminder of everything the disease has taken from us.

A suggestion for early to midstage caregivers

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