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Just Checking In - Its been a while but doing MUCH Better
Hi All - Just checking in, its been almost a year since I've visited this site, great help and support. DW is in her 7th year with EO FTD, she'll be 61 in a few days. Much has happened since I placed her in MC in late December/2022. Short story is I eventually pulled her out this past August and now care for her at home…
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Stage 8
Again, I can't believe this has happened, but it has. Peggy passed away right around 11am this morning. Thankfully, it was all very peaceful. I'm grateful that she didn't linger in this state, or that she had to endure any more of stage 7 than she did. Yesterday afternoon when I was there, I gave her permission again to…
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Dealing with denial, hallucinations, and delusions
A doctor mentioned that my husband probably has Alzheimer's about 2 years ago. Since then my husband refuses to see a doctor for any reason because there's nothing wrong with him. He gets angry, belligerent, and even hostile at times because I promise to take him to our new "masterpiece" home but I never take him; or I…
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I can no longer keep DH safe Now what?
DH can no longer walk without falling. He will not wait for me to assist. Last night he got up out of bed in the middle of the night and was shuffling around. My Angel must have awakened me because I was exhausted and in a deep sleep. DH qualifies for Medicaid. How do I find a place for him? I am in touch with a lawyer.…
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Michael Ellenbogen article on the need for dementia training in hospitals
Michael has written an excellent article on the need for dementia education and training programs in hospitals. https://www.mathewsopenaccess.com/journals/neurology/abstract/the-failing-hospital-system-i-when-it-comes-to-cognitive-issues-i
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Sister Cares
Hello, I am just starting this discussion but my older sister has had dementia for about 2 years. Her family did not let me know until she called me one day and I knew something was wrong with her. That was about a year ago. It seems her dementia as moved very quickly. At times she no longer remembers her husband or home.…
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Michael Ellenbogen article on the need for dementia training in hospitals
Michael has written an impassioned plea for dementia education and training programs in hospitals. https://www.mathewsopenaccess.com/journals/neurology/abstract/the-failing-hospital-system-i-when-it-comes-to-cognitive-issues-i
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Important article re: significant risks of hospitalization/ER for PWDs
Posting on both sites. This corroborates the experiences many of us have had with hospital or ER intervention causing more harm than good for our PWD LOs. The study focused on fainting or near fainting (syncope) as a reason for the initial hospital contact, but the overarching statements caught my attention and are why we…
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How to do long-distance move into memory care
My uncle has dementia and has recently progressed to the point where he can no longer live alone. He has no close family or friends nearby and my father (his brother) has found memory care near his home, but it is many states away from where my uncle currently lives (18 hour drive or 3-4 hour flight) My uncle is confused…
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I need help please
Hello I'm new here. This is my first post. I'm currently my Mom's caregiver. She was diagnosed approximately 2.5 years with mild Alzheimer's. She is now moderate to more severe stage. She progressed extremely quickly. She was living at her home alone 2 years ago and now she is bedridden. About 9 weeks she simply quit…
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Diagnosis
Well. Spoke with the neuropsych today about my DWs evaluation last week. For sure dementia, though unsure what type. Progressing rapidly. Could be Alzheimer's, faster progressing Lewy Body or vascular. I know it may matter in terms of planning, but right now, even the thought of scheduling another MRI just bums me out. I…
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Auditory hallucinations
My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over 2 months ago , she is 74, I honestly think she had it for a couple of years now she used to see things she said when she was waking up now she hears people talking to her but she don’t see them, the neurologist said that’s a mental health issue, I told him my mother never had any…
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Delusions, hallucinations or dreams?
MIL has had some relatively minor episodes of hallucination type incidents. Some were auditory (Do you hear the vacuum cleaner?). Some were visual (There were butterflies all over the wall.) And some felt more like confusion. (Yelling “hello, hello” because she thought someone was knocking at the door). But last night was…
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Rash on chest
DH has been complaining of ongoing itchiness on chest, arms, back. There is a visible rash especially on the chest. This has been for several weeks, maybe 2 months. We put hydrocortozine 1% on it which helps, but apparently the itchiness is getting more constant and even disrupts his sleep. I sent a note to the PCP who had…
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Dealing with Grief of Loss and Alzheimer's Madness
Dear Forum Friends, I have been checking in but haven't participated much since the loss of my best fury friend of 14 years. It was just the last straw for me, and I continue to be filled with grief. I decided to commit my feelings to writing in hopes that it might purged some of my pain. I share this in hopes that it will…
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Share a date or surprise?
Just wondering what everyone would do… I go to a support group once a month. It seems every time I go it starts an argument with DH. Why do I need to go, who is there, do we just talk about him… you know the drill. So do I tell him ahead of time that I am going? I didn’t mark it on the calendar this month. Do I just wait…
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Visiting Mom with dementia
Hi, I am new here. my mom was diagnosed with dementia over four years ago and has since had to transition into a memory care facility. I visit her multiple times a week and every time I visit when she sees me she starts crying. This is really hard on me. I tried to distract her. I tried to bring activities, but at this…
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stage and preparation
My mother died in early 2015. At that time she had mentioned to me that she thought there was something wrong with my step dads memory. When she was dying from cancer I begin to see it too. He was able to live by himself for a couple of years but due to some major health issues that escalated his ALZ I had to move him to…
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Finding a caregiver
Hello, I am new to this discussion platform and I’m reaching out to see if anyone has any advice to my situation. I am a caregiver for my father who has had early onset for 8 years. He is reaching the point where he is unable to be by himself at all and has difficulty with some basic daily tasks. He was declined from home…
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Burdensome
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the long night
It's about 4:30AM here. My mom called me around 11 and I knew I needed to come over to keep her company and help. I've read the hospice book and this forum and my books and all that for months now, but seeing this in real life is obviously different. He might be in the actively dying stage now? Wasn't really expecting that…
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Memory care facilities
Is there any financial help for memory care facilities? Mom has end stage 6 dementia and requires 24 care. But I can seem to find any help in CA.
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Hallucinations
Hello everyone, I'm new to the group. My mom was diagnosed with dementia in October of 2023 & she's been having bad hallucinations the last few months. She believes the neighbors are trying to move the property line, have dug tunnels under our home and that someone is coming into the house and moving/stealing her clothes,…
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It's weird. . .
We used to come here all time. My DW would have a coke and I would have a beer. That was back in stages 2 through early 6. We would always get a small pepperoni to go. Back then I also was caring for my mom also. I loved sitting in this exact booth with her right by my side. We would hold hands under the table. Eventually,…
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Agitation
Hello, I am caring for my 84 year old mom. She has Alzheimer’s. I live with her. I work outside the home three days a week and have caregivers come in so she has never alone. Lately her agitation has escalated even when I am home with her. She will sit down and get right back up, pace the floors, ask for help or just…
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CSF Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis
So apparently there is something called CSF biomarkers that can be tested to help diagnose Alzheimer’s. You get these through a lumbar puncture, which, as in my LO’s case, is also used for NPH. The neurologist questioned in my LO’s chart why they didn’t test for this. Does anyone know about this test?
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Hospice for my mother
I made the decision to call hospice, a nurse came out the next day (Thurs 3/14) and all the papers have been signed. The assigned nurse called last night and she will be here Monday (3/18). A wheelchair was delivered yesterday, just the transport style. This is not going over well, my mother is not accepting this in place…
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Brought DH home from AL
I just brought my DH home from AL due to incontinence issues. His bedding and PJs were soaked every am and room reeked. I started going there late am and had to bag all soiled bedding and clothes and put them outside door for cleaning. His bed was soaked. I bought a hospital bed and thought that would make it easier for…
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So so tired
Hi fellow caregivers. I don't expect anyone to have a solution. I just needed to say to someone who understands: I'm so %$#% tired. I mean truly weary. My husband's sleep pattern has changed so he basically sleeps for a couple of hours and then is in constant motion for a couple of hours. I just purchased a baby gate…