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Anyone heard of potential benefits of Kefir?
Hi Y'all, My wife was diagnosed 3 years ago with dementia, she is still very much with me, but I have seen many examples of her slow slide due to this horrible disease. Our GP prescribed two medications when she was diagnosed, Memantine and Donepezil. We have no idea how much they've helped. We have a good friend who's a…
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Early Onset of Dementia
My name is Bonnie and I live near Dillsburg, Pa. I am 57 and was just diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer’s. I am trying to get treated with Leqembi. I am on a wait list… they said maybe July. I was just reaching out to learn or hear about anything that is helpful for this disease. The more I know, the better prepared…
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DH with dementia no longer shows hand preference
My husband is in approximately late stage 5 of dementia. I noticed recently that he no longer shows a hand preference when eating, holding a pencil or reaching for an object. What does this mean? He was always left-handed, but will now try to eat with either hand. He requires assistance eating, but tries to do it himself.…
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Short term memory loss
my LW is currently in a nursing home for PT after surgery for diverticulitis. Happily, she did not need a colostomy bag. On the dementia scale, she is in the lower middle. She also has short term memory loss, which compounds her negative outbursts. If I am with her, I witness her anger at staff for slow responses.…
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PBS Cargiving Documentary
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New to group
Hello I just wanted to introduce myself. My husband is 56 year old. He was diagnosed with PPA and frontotemporal dementia about 5 years ago. I believe we are now entering ALZ as well. This week I had to finally take away his right to drive and it was heartbreaking. I tried to blame it on the insurance company knowing he…
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Won't drink enough!
How do you get your LO to drink fluids? I am tired of harping on mom to drink. She will ignore the water,juice, or tea in front of her face and keeps getting UTIs.
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Assisted living room changes
My mom has been at the assisted living facility since October 2023. She is in a 2-room apartment, which we originally selected due her having 2 senior male dogs. At this point, the dogs are no longer there, and my mom is transitioning from moderate to severe. I was asked by the staff at the facility today how I would feel…
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National Alzheimer's Summit: A Virtual Experience
Michael Ellenbogen sent me this valuable information: This year’s theme, “From Personal Stories to Powerful Action: Making a Difference in Alzheimer’s,” will elevate the voices of patients and caregivers while driving impactful change through collaboration with government leaders, scientists, the private sector, and…
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National Alzheimer's Virtual Summit
Michael Ellenbogen sent me this. UsAgainstAlzheimer's is a good organization. This year’s theme, “ From Personal Stories to Powerful Action: Making a Difference in Alzheimer’s," will elevate the voices of patients and caregivers while driving impactful change through collaboration with government leaders, scientists, the…
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Psychosomatic pain?
Wondering if anyone has experience with pain complaints? My DW had a mastectomy 10 years ago. Early stage cancer, no chemotherapy or radiation. She’s now complaining constantly about pain in the other breast. Saying, “I want this one removed too.” Recent mammogram (1 month ago) was clear. There’s no fever, redness, or…
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Montelukast for AD
Has anyone's doctor mentioned Montelukast as treatment for AD. I have read some studies showing it has a positive effect on the inflammation reaction in the brain?
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Slow motion in Stage 8 (repost)
Posting from Spouse's forum also.
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Diagnosis process
Hello all, I was able to get my mother to be seen by a neuropsychologist for testing recently, which required very careful persuasion and lying to get her there. They now want to make an appointment to go over the results with her. I am considering not doing this and having them just send me the report, if I can get it. My…
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Still Here
I haven’t posted in a while, I am struggling with the situation here. DH is now on day 47 of not eating, over a month with no heart meds, and he’s refused fluids of any kind since Monday. The Hospice nurses are astounded that he’s still as strong as he is. He’s non-responsive to everyone but me…if take his hand and talk to…
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Having trouble crying? Then read this one: The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka
I haven't been on this site for a long time and was moved to post here by this book. Brilliantly written and tightly constructed, Julie takes us on the journey of her mom through her mom's decline. I think it was by chapter 3, I was sobbing, and then weeping at the description of the importance of trees. (I remember how my…
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Slow motion in Stage 8
Dear Forum mates, I am just checking in as the dust begins to settle (sort of) following my beloved DH's peaceful passing a few months ago, ending 6+ years of our devastating dance with dementia. I have thought of you all so many times, but have been alternating between some days of doing nothing but breathing and…
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Hospital woes (long story)
Mom developed another UTI at her MC. After a day of antibiotics, she refused all food, fluids and meds and stopped talking. Her facility sent her to ER and she was admitted. After some IV fluids and one dose of IV antibiotics, she perked up and was almost back to baseline. The hospital was ready to discharge her, but of…
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Alzheimer’s and Sugar
My MIL is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. The disease has progressed slowly (15 years), but she is now firmly in Stage 4. Among other changes in behavior, she has recently begun hoarding food…especially sweet foods. While I know hoarding and hiding is typical, my question is more about her overall diet. My FIL is her…
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Rexulti and increased confusion and restlessness?
DH has been taking Rexulti for 2 weeks now and he seems to be more confused, wanting to go see his parents, wanting to go skiing, more restless. I don’t know if it’s coincidence or is this a result of the medication. I don’t think it’s had any effect on the agitation so I’m inclined to stop it. His doctor said to go to the…
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Just wandering
MY DH ,THAT HAS VD AND ALZ. PROB STAGE 3 OR 4 , SEEMS SO NORMAL RIGHT NOW. OR IS IT THAT IM JUST SO USE TO IT? I MAKE SURE THERE IS NO STRESS IN HIS LIFE, EVERYTHING HE NEEDS OR WANTS HE GETS . HE TAKES ALL HIS MEDS. HE STILL WONT SHOWER ,DOESNT EAT RIGHT LIKES SWEETS OR ONLY SMALL PORTIONS. I SUBSTITUTE WITH BOOST MILK…
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Mild Cognitive Impairment and Pain
I googled "Can Mild Cognitive Impairment result in pain in the body?" The response was, "Yes, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) can be associated with bodily pain, although the relationship is complex and not fully understood. Research suggests that individuals with MCI are more likely to experience pain, and this pain may,…
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One parent diagnosed, one parent…
MY MIL has been diagnosed with a very slow progression of Alzheimer’s. She was diagnosed 15 years ago and is just now reaching Stage 4. By the time the evening arrives, you can definitely see a change not only in reasoning/processing but also in personality. Her husband of the past 40 years is her PCG. He’s a terrific man,…
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How to respond when DH does this
We have been married 33 years. DH has anger attacks. There has been never any talk about leaving. We have been through even his helicopter accident. Saying this there has been some recent anger episodes where it is late at night or early morning, he comes in yelling “If you are so unhappy then leave. Just go! Do you want…
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Spectrum
Hello, I am a caregiver to an elderly parent. We are in Peterborough, ON. Canada. I am finding it more and more frustrating because my life is on hold. My mother is 92 yrs, and at times appears to be very sharp ("with it") but she does forget a lot, more and more, and I see signs of decline. It is quite challenging because…
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Help with bringing in help
Hi All, My DW is putting up a fight about brining in a caregiver in our home. Probably Stage 5 but I don't feel comfortable leaving her for extended times. I would like a break as well. Anyone have a good therapeutic fib for why So-n-So is coming in? Any stories that you've used to bridge the resistance? Thank you
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New Here. Sundowner/Hallucinations
My mom cares for my dad at home. I am only 2 miles away and my son and I are their support system. My dad (89yr) has been dealing with sundowners for several months but it is getting worse. Some nights he sleeps ok and some nights he is up and down throughout the night. We learned my mom (84yr) has been sleeping in a…
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Defecates on himself, refuses to shower
Husband defecates on himself and refuses to shower. Even with Depends a stain will come through. I cannot get him to shower. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I can't take much more.
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I need a safe space for me
please allow me to vent… I am so tired. My head constantly aches. I don’t sleep well. My DH has AZ and, I am beginning to think, another form of dementia as well. We see doc in two weeks to discuss. He is all over the place some days. Some days hallucinating. Some days body temp out of control. Then he sits down and reads…
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So, this happened...
This article doesn't come right out and state the driver had dementia, but I suspect the son is going to be having the conversation about the car keys HB