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Just need to talk to my friends (208)
HB, thanks for telling me about auto comprehensive paying for rodent damage. I doubt this will be over $1000 which is my deductible. JeriLynn, I would be interested in the device you mentioned that makes a noise to scare rodents. I have those scent packets but don't know how to keep them from falling out but maybe the…
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Tramadol Question
Hi All - So my mom is in assisted living on Hospice care for over a year now. She is in a Broda chair and they now use a Hoyer lift getting her into bed/shower etc. She is down to 95 pounds. I would say late stage 5 or early 6. She has been taking Tramadol 2x a day (morning and night). A Hospice nurse called and said that…
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First experience with wandering
Woke up at 1:45 this morning with DH missing. First time he’s ever done anything like this. Sheriff’s office had helicopter going, canine units, added bloodhounds, silver alert, the works. So scary! They found him at around 9 about 4 miles away. He used to always carry his wallet which I had an AirTag in, but stopped…
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GPS Enabled Watch
I don't post often - but I check-in every day for your sage advise! My DH (70) has Alzheimer's + Vascular Dementia and was diagnosed 1.5 years ago using blood test and MRI. The Neuropsychologist conducted testing and concluded he was in the 'Moderate' stage. I (64 F) am trying to work another year before I retire, so he is…
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Working?
Which came first, your diagnosis or problems at work? Did you resign, get fired, or use long term disability?
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From Kerrville, I Thank You ALL for your Thoughts and Prayers
Greetings everyone. My family and I are safe and accounted for. I'm sure you are aware of the tremendous damage in Central Texas. The loss of life is unimaginable and heartbreaking. I am grateful to everyone who has reached out. Your thoughts and prayers lift me up and keep me going. The community and I sincerely feel the…
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Avoid all types of confrontation?
Hello, My husband is newly diagnosed, and I have so many questions. I'll start with just one today. For background: My husband is 56, and he has had memory issues for about three years, probably longer. He went through many doctor's appointments and tests and received the final diagnosis last month. I attended an…
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Pill box questions
My father is still living on his own about 15-20 min away from myself and my siblings. Our mother passed away in December and he's getting adjusted. My sister bought him an electronic pill container with an alarm. She fills it once a week for him. He's still self sufficient and refuses to go into a facility of any kind…
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Newly Diagnosed and I have questions
Hello this is my first time posting and I have questions. Of course I didn't think of these while we were in the doctors office today and won't be back until Oct. Anyways, my mom was just diagnosed with Alzheimer's today and was told to take 2 different medications. They are memantine and donepezil. My first question is…
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Official diagnosis & Medications
Is a official diagnosis needed to start taking medication (Aricept) to slow down memory loss? Mri showed brain atrophy more accelerated for age than should be & chronic vessel ischemic changes. Memory loss & behaviors are declining also Neurologist prescribed Aricept but can't be started without official diagnosis which…
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Long distance has separated us
Being long distant from a loved one has taken a toll. This has been a heartbreaking journey for all involved. Feeling hopeless and helpless and just want him here with us like he was planning on doing before Alzheimer's overtook him. Everyday is a struggle, everyday that goes by is a huge loss without him.I want to save…
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Post-hospital exhaustion for caregiver?
My father was in the hospital for two days last week. Admitted through the ER. There’s a lot to say about that—especially about the shocking lack of training by doctors to deal with a patient who has dementia—but right now I am looking for advice for myself. I was with him almost constantly in the hospital (it was…
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Getting care for my father
I moved my father into my home in January 2024, due to his progressing dementia. He was living with my step mom, who also, due to a health problem, has since moved in with her own children. I am struggling to understand how long-term Medicaid works. I work full-time and I am not able to quit or retire, but I don't want to…
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So many emotions
Hi All, I am reading so many posts that I can relate to and empathize with as the adult daughter of a 91 yo father with dementia. Mom just passed away in May and on June 30 I moved Dad to assisted living. He cannot be home alone and was constantly "looking for" lost keys, wallet, hearing aids, checkbook, or searching for…
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Things are rough.
Moved my mom in a couple of weeks ago on the advice of her doc, who she used to love, but now refuses to go see. Said he only suggested because he and I were “in cahoots.” He said she needs to stop driving and let me help with meds. We “lost” her car keys during the move, but she has been obsessed looking for them for…
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CELA question for those who have consulted
I am going to make an appt with a CELA soon eventhough we had our trust redone 6 months ago. I need to know answers about shielding assets in the event a MCF is needed in the future. I dont know if this is possible or if Medi-Cal is an option or if it even helps pay for sine MC costs. My question for all of you is: should…
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Pisa syndrome (Pleurothotonus)
Hi friends. I haven't been on the site for a while, nor have I kept up with dementia related things. It is just over three years since I entered stage 8. So please take whatever I say with a grain of salt, and do your own research if needed. But I just wanted to pass this on in case it had not been discussed here. For…
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Alcohol
My 81 year old Husband has mid stage Alzheimer’s. He is still driving and basically independent. Unfortunately he’s forgotten how Alcohol (spirits) affects him. To avoid him hiding liquor I let him keep in in the pantry. Unfortunately it makes him feel better/brighter but I’ve come home 3 times last week and he’s drunk. We…
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Help with anger response
looking for help with ways to respond when mom is angry. It has gotten worse (tested for UTI and increasing 1 medication ) and I don’t know how to respond. It is “I want out of here” or “why can’t I go somewhere else” or “I just want to die” or “what do they want, they keep going through my things” or “that person is a…
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In Home care recommendations
Mom is diagnosed with dementia. We need some in home help and want to go with an agency but it's hard to know where to start. Looking for any recommendations you all have for in home agencies. We don't need a lot yet but will need more soon I think. Companionship, light meals and respite for her partner- the full time…
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New here
My older brother has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and I’m trying to understand what to expect and how best to support her. What are some things you wish you had known earlier in your journey caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s?
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A good day!
I wanted to post something positive for a change. 🙂 Today was one of those days with my DH where I say to myself “I can take care of him, no problem”. He was a little bit confused and quiet when he first got up, but was in a good mood all day, no outbursts of anger, only a quick little mention of going “home”, easy to…
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Long post. Beautifully written. 💜
From Michael J Whelan who is fighting cancer and his wife has Parkinson’s. “I'M SO TIRED! There’s a moment in this journey when denial dies quietly in the corner, and hope, the stubborn candle, flickers but does not go out. It is here when the neurologist stops suggesting, and starts testing. Not reflexes or memory games…
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Looking for a regular online support meeting to attend
Hi, I am the life partner of someone with between mild to moderate dementia. He and I would like to attend something together so we can hear together what is ahead and what works to help with different aspects of the disease and its progression. Any links appreciated. Thank you
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Walks hunched over
DH walks hunched over and walks very slowly. He's basically looking down all the time. He walks with his head/neck bent downward but he also sits that way all the time. When I ask him to lift his head up when I shave him, he will lift it just a little but then drops it back downward. Best I can tell is he's in stage 6, is…
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Long-distance Caregiver for mother with AZ
Hello, my 80-year-old mother seems to be declining more rapidly this year (she was diagnosed in 2020 wit AZ). She lives in NYC and I moved to Boston,MA, in July from Los Angeles, CA, partly to be closer to her to make caregiving easier. She is very challenging, however, and I often feel lost as to what she needs because…
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Not sure the MC facility has my mother's ADLs addressed
About three months ago I noticed a few things lacking in my mother's room regarding her personal care. One was that she did not have any toothpaste, shower soap or washcloths. I wondered how they were properly bathing or brushing her teeth. I also noticed the toilet paper roll was down to the last few squares and there was…
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Anyone else taking care of otherwise healthy dementia patient?
Taking care of 85 year old with late stages but body is amazingly healthy, amazes the nurses and doctors each time,,,strong heart, good breathing, strong appetite, and can feed herself most of the time. One should be delighted right? But she is in late stages requires 24 care, is beyond any kind of converstation, but gets…
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How to reduce phone calls and text messages
My mom moved in with us 3 months ago. She has always had problems with confidence and has needed reassurance even before ALZ. Now that she is living here with MCI, it is so much worse. I work from home as a mental health registered nurse and frequently am in virtual meetings on camera where I need to participate. I also…
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HEARING AIDS
This is a very practical question. My wife has mid to early late stage dementia. She has delusions and hallucinations about "a man" who comes into her room and removes, moves, or takes her things. Because of this, she routinely hides her hearing aids. This usually happens before she takes a shower or before she goes to…