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mild to moderate MCI

My DH was diagnosed last year with MCI. For a few months now I noticed changes. He has memory loss, blames anything or anyone for anything . His temper is off, discussions or conversations are impossible at times, becomes argumentative. I am so sad and fearful that I can not handle this. I cry at night .

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  • Michele P
    Michele P Member Posts: 317
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    Member

    Welcome. If your husband has not already had a brain MRI and PET scan, that is your next step to determine if Alzheimer’s or another disease is causing his MCI. There are blood tests now that test for Alzheimer’s. You can have MCI and not have Alzheimer’s disease. Get a referral for a geriatric psychiatrist for medication for your husband’s agitation. Don’t argue with him. His reasoning is broken. Accept the blame for whatever he thinks you did. Arguing with him will get you nowhere. As others have suggested, get your legal affairs in order now. You will have to take over all finances at some point. Get a list of all accounts with log in and passwords. Put all bills on auto pay. Get the same for computers and phone. Make sure your husband signs HIPPA forms to allow you access to doctors and medical records. Put TILE gps trackers on phones, wallet, keys, purse. They track the items and the person through an app on your phone. If there is a Mayo Clinic near you, get him into The HABIT Program. It will help both of you deal with this. Start using Brain HQ online games. It will help build neurons in the part of his brain that isn’t impaired. Look at The Pointer Study and Dr. Dean Ornish’s Lifestyle Program. This is how you slow it up. Come back here for help, The people here are extremely knowledgeable and supportive.

  • H1235
    H1235 Member Posts: 1,659
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    Many with dementia have anosognosia. This is the inability to recognize their symptoms or limitations. Since they believe they are perfectly capable if something goes wrong it couldn’t possibly be his fault. When the caregiver takes freedoms away to protect them the person with dementia often directs anger and resentment their way.

  • Lilydaisy
    Lilydaisy Member Posts: 87
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    It's always sad to hear about his decline. Everyone's experience is a little (or a lot) different. Our path (now 10 years) began with an MCI diagnosis. I was told at the time by our psychologist that MCI can lead to AD but it doesn't always. Two years later she suggested Alzheimer's or some form of dementia had taken over and my DW should see a neurologist. We did and the diagnosis was AD. I hope your husband might have a more positive experience, but my suggestion is to get a diagnosis for him and then do the very best you can for him. God bless.

  • wcsc
    wcsc Member Posts: 6
    Third Anniversary First Comment
    Member

    I would like to read The 36 Hour Day book but I am afraid my wife will see it and get upset. She would get upset and would tell me that she doesn't have a problem. Any suggestions?

  • terei
    terei Member Posts: 830
    Eighth Anniversary 250 Insightfuls Reactions 250 Likes 500 Comments
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    Yes. Keep the book hidden and read while she is sleeping.

  • H1235
    H1235 Member Posts: 1,659
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    Do you have a device you can read a digital copy on? Could you take a book jacket from another book and put over. Maybe you could do a makeshift paper bag cover. This might be a helpful read. I hope you can figure something out.

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
Read more