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Living with Alzheimer's - A Caregiver's Journey
My wife was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's eight years ago when she was just 60 years old. I have been her primary caregiver every day since then until her death last month. As a means to help me cope with this terrible disease I wrote a detailed journal of my experience over that entire time. The writing is in two…
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The dementia routine
I know all of our journeys are different but many are scarily similar. My husband has no initiative and does the same pattern everyday. His day is focused on eating and going to the bathroom. Other than those things, (which seem to occupy a great deal of time everyday), he would just sit in his recliner in front of the TV.…
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Overwhelmed and not sure what to do.
Hello, I'm new here. I joined because I need advice on how to help my mom. She's eighty years old, started showing signs of dementia and possibly some other cognitive issues over the last three years. A bit of background; My mother's reasoning has always been questionable since she was a child but it was dismissed as -…
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Time shift
My mom has Alzheimer's and seems stuck 31 years ago when her step dad passed away. She keeps insisting on going to the funeral home and make his arrangements. I have tried everything including telling her I have already done it to he's been gone for many years. She gets angry over it. Not really sure how to handle this. My…
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What has changed in a year and a half
Greetings all. In September 2023, I moved both my parents into my home. My dear mom has Alzheimer's. My dear dad has mild cognitive impairment. They are 85 and 87 respectively. For more background, see the discussion at https://alzconnected.org/discussion/64542/moving-my-folks-into-my-house#latest btw - I copied and pasted…
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Guilt around visiting MCF
Hello, I’m a new member and I was referred by a Dr. to connect with some others going/gone through it. I am in my early 30s and I cared for my mom for ~4 years at our family home before it became too difficult for me to care for her. I didn’t have the skills to provide the care she needed nor the mental strength. I was in…
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Getting very difficult
Hello, my first post. My husband has moderate Alzheimer's. Officially diagnosed last year but it's been going on since about 2017. He has no short-term memory at this point. He had emergency triple bypass in 2021, and it progressed a lot since then. Goes to Adult Day Care three days a week and he's in his third year. He…
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Caretaker for parents with dementia
Both of my parents have dementia. My brother is autistic and we found a residence for him. He moved 2 months ago. My father has rage outbursts b/c my brother isn’t home. I want them to speak with each other. However I’m afraid of the chaos they will cause demanding that he come home but it’s not safe for my brother to live…
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Marijuana for aggression?
Has any caregivers had doctor prescribe marijuana for LO with agressive behavior? If so, did it help?
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Scam phone calls
Has anyone else’s PWD come to them with the news that someone called to tell them they won the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes? It’s happened twice now. Sadly, the second time she didn’t remember the first time or she probably wouldn’t have chatted with the caller. Fortunately, she still has some reasoning faculties…
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Overwhelmed? It is the loved ones of those with Alzheimer's who bear the greatest burden.
It is the loved ones of those with Alzheimer's who bear the greatest burden, and often care for them at the expense of their own well-being. It is common for family members and loved ones to find themselves thrust into this nightmare completely unprepared and ill-equipped for it. Sadly, much will be damaged or completely…
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When is the right time to intervene?
Hello, my mom is 76 and has been living alone for a little over 10 years after losing my dad. She has heart disease along with artery disease from genetics and smoking 2 packs a day for over 30 year......damage is presenting now. Most of the time she doesn't know what day it is, she can't do her bills or sort her meds…
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Incontinence
Has anyone had success using a wireless floor mat alarm? If so, where did you purchase it?
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New diagnosis, new to group. Having a rough ugly cry day.
I have been very emotional, ugly crying today. Today is hard, others are not- those days I am "numb". I am 41, married for 19 years, I have 5 kids ages 8, 10, 17, 18, 20. I have tested positive for PSEN1 which is one of 3 variants known to cause young onset Alzheimer’s. I have had cognitive symptoms since August 2023. I…
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Hypersexuality
My husband talks about sex constantly, uses language he never used before, and is grabby like a teenager ( he's 72). I am not dealing well with this, I see him differently now that I am his caretaker and he is incontinent and hates to shower. I usually change the subject but it's making him upset.
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How do you respond to family inquiries?
My DW is was diagnosed with EO several years back. She is 60yo and deep into stage 5. She has a very supportive and loving family (parent and siblings) that are several states away. They are good people and I am fortunate to have such pleasant in laws. They reach out to us periodically to ask "how are things going?" In the…
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Easy website for answering questions about my father's condition
My father has had Alzheimer's Disease for the past 7+ years and has progressed into a later stage. I've had lots of questions along the way and I'm finding it really frustrating to search and visit lots of websites for simple answers. Just discovered pfizer has a new website that answers questions. I put in some questions…
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Getting desperate
Hi all. I care for my partner who has dementia and has only just recently been diagnosed even though it has been obvious for two years. He has no idea of the day/date/year nor even the season. He goes to daycare three days a week, thank God, but it's costing us a fortune. My main problem is he's so nasty now, and a…
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outings
Is it helpful or harmful to take the person for a ride or to a relatives home for a few hours when the person with dementia wants to "get out of here". Will returning to the facility be even more upsetting?
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DH has the flu
My husband is stage 6. Started coughing, fever- I took him to the urgent care today, yes he has the flu. It seems his dementia has gotten so much worse when he started showing flu symptoms. I’ve heard that can happen. He has had 2 bowel accidents today, very unstable on his feet, talking to himself. The dr said the…
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Need good doctor for mom
We went to neurologist today have meds we are starting for mom with alzheimer. The neuroligist is a busy guy so can't be her regular doc. I would like suggestions of a good primary doc for mom who can oversee her health meds or work with elderly. Any names of good docs out there in twin cities or surrounding area.
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Whom do I believe? My Mom or the caretaker?
Hi Everyone! I'm new to this community. This is my first post. My Dad passed away last fall and I had to take over as my Mom's caretaker. She has dementia and I am her POA and only living relative who is able and willing to take care of her. I have been very overwhelmed taking care of my Mom since my Dad died, especially…
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Thank Your Past Self
Please take a moment and think about something you did in the past, that makes your present situation better. When I started caring for my parents, as I began each visit, I made a new note on my phone. It was always titled Thank You! Each time I benefited from one of my past actions, I put a hash tag on my note. For…
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Retaliation after ADA Accommodation Request
Does anyone have any experience with retaliation after an ADA Accommodation is requested/approved that you would be willing to share/discuss?
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delusional mother being abusive towards me
I am so worn down by my mother's constant accusations, and although I know its a disease it still hurts so much! She doesnt have anyone else, so I am her main source of care- I get her groceries, do her hair and nails, take care of her finances, manage her meds, take her to all her appointments, and moved her…
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New territory and things are changing
Facing facts here. Thought I was dealing with things the best I could as they continue to evolve. DH fell about a month ago when he got up at night to pee. Luckily he wasn't injured too much, just a cut on his hand that bled a lot. A few days ago he stubbed his right little toe, again when he got up in the night. He said…
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Toured a few memory care facilities
My DH is in moderate stage and I plan to take care of him as long as possible, but been told to have a Plan B. I never realize the memory facilities are so competitive with each other. And, they are a little pushy at when to admit him. They told me they would not be able take him if I wait too long. My DH is doing good and…
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Walking with walker
Looking for someone to help my mom walk with a walker. She is at woodlake nursing home and they confine her to a wheelchair. We live 1 hour away. I want to keep her strength up.
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What to tell
So, mom is pleasantly demented, and in a terrific ALF. That said besides her memory issues she is pretty healthy thank god. 84yr old. Her sister is not well and declining and I cannot imagine it will be long she is 90 very sick in hospital. Should my aunt pass, Should I tell mom? She of course remembers her and asks about…
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Needing to move mother to memory care
92 yo mother has been in assisted living for 18 months. Over the last year she has had more episodes of confusion and disordered sleep. She often refuses to dress for bed and will wander the hallway at night - we have an upcoming care meeting and I expect that they will say she needs to move to the memory care unit. We…