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Can’t figure out where he wants to go
The last few days DH has been trying to tell me about a place he wants to go, and for the life of me I can’t figure out what he’s talking about. His aphasia is so bad I can’t even make a guess. I have asked him questions to help clarify but that just leads to more nonsensical sentences. He describes it differently at…
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Therapy, counseling for Alz caregiver
What's the best source for me to use to find a therapist/counselor who's familiar with caregivers for people with dimentia? I don't need it yet, but want to start before I do.
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Taking medication in AL
Moms Al does not watch her take her medication. They set it on the table and leave. I was told when she moved in the it is policy that staff must watch residents to make sure the medication is take. This was important to me since I found stray pills all over the floor in her home and many more in old purses that she had…
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Just Had to Cancel Mom's Move. Again.
For the second time in a month, my mom managed to (mostly) schedule movers to take her from AL back to her home. The information she provided both times was either incorrect or incomplete. She's been in AL about 3 months. When I canceled the first move, I didn't tell her, which made her feel betrayed for not being looped…
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He's forgetting how to eat
and even what food is…at least that is how it seems. I eat lunch with him on Sundays at the MC. For the last two weeks, when they bring his tray he just sits there and looks at it until I tell him to eat it. Then he looks at me and asks what he is supposed to do. This Sunday, I picked up his fork and put a piece of chicken…
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Doesn’t want to go anywhere
My DW doesn’t want to visit family or friends both locally and long distance anymore. I’m thinking it because maybe she doesn’t remember them. Half the time she asks me what my name is. Should I just not worry and take her anyway. I’ve read that changes aren’t good. Maybe I should just accept that our days staying home are…
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Lorazepam
My DH, 75 yo stage 6, living at home in hospice, was recently prescribed Lorazepam to help with nighttime agitation. Does anyone have experience with this? He sleeps the better part of the day and used to sleep all night as well, but lately he is active and busy until midnight or later — folding and refolding blankets,…
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New Caregiver Advice Needed
Hello - I'm new to this caregiving role and am navigating these responsibilities on top of raising 2 young kids, looking for a new job, and all the other things. Where are the best places to start in seeking help and locating resources? My mother currently has a pseudodementia diagnosis and I'm wondering if anyone else has…
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Morally Conflicted about Nursing Home
My 75-year-old grandmother was diagnosed a year ago with moderate dementia, which has now later turned into an Alzheimer's diagnosis. She is starting to slowly have "out-of-mind" episodes, confusing a very close family member with their parent (her son), etc. while these are infrequent as of now, they are suddenly onset…
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Service dogs for people with Alzheimer’s article
https://www.nextavenue.org/canine-companions/ I came across this article on the website for the National Council of Dementia Minds My wife has an interview in June with a service dog organization and we’re hoping to get one soon. We’ve been volunteering with the organization and having a great time so far.
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Caring For Parent
Both my Maternal Great Grandmother and Grandmother had Alzheimer's. And now, I am seeing more obvious changes in my own Mother who is now in her 70s. I live out of state. I am in CT and my Mother is in FL. The most challenging part is dealing with my Father, her spouse, who is in denial. He has been trying to shield my…
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What to do: working mom with 1 year old baby, family member with suspected dementia
Hi everyone, I'm new to this caregiver journey and looking for a place to share my story and any advice/words appreciated. I am a working mom with 1 year old baby. Recently, my husband and I came to suspect my mother-in-law to have dementia/Alzheimer's. I only learnt about this recently, but apparently for the past year…
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Visited mom in MC and found another resident sleeping on top of her bed
I visited my mom yesterday in her Memory Care apartment. The door was ajar. I walked inside and saw my mom in her bed under a couple blankets. To my surprise, there was a woman lying across the foot of her bed on top of it face up. Just sleeping there. I took a photo for evidence. Then went to get the attention of a staff…
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Sleep pattern is a mess
my DH spent 3 nights in the hospital and returned home yesterday. While there, they gave him Seroquel at bedtime and it helped a lot with sleep. I could tell he had slept because when I saw him each day he was alert, upbeat, and didn’t nap at all during the day. A great relief because he wasn’t sleeping much at night when…
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Give me your dollar!
I came home from burying my wife today to find a recorded phone message dunning me for payment of an ambulance bill that is on my desk and due two weeks from now, June 16. The provider is the Sisters of Mercy, an order of Catholic nuns who purport to be a nonprofit faith-based organization. This is what the USA has instead…
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Sudden issue with weakness & walking
I am caring for my mom who has memory loss due to dementia/alzheimers. Her memory loss became noticeable about 7-8 years ago. In the past several weeks she has suddenly become very weak when walking. She used to walk a lap or two at the track every other day and now struggles to walk a short distance around the house. I'm…
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MC 1 week and major decline
I did finally place DH in MC. The building up to it was gut wrenching, however, after I felt a sense of relief knowing he has 24/7 and me some freedom. The first few days went well. Evenings somewhat challenging but not too bad. Suddenly everything changed. DH angry outbursts early afternoon. He goes in and out of every…
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Support Groups with Respite Care North Idaho/Eastern Washington
Does anyone in the North Idaho/ Eastern Washington know any dementia support groups that offer respite during the meetings? I know the Alzheimer’s support groups don’t offer this. But is there any other groups around my area that do?
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Does Detailed Diagnosis Really Make a Difference?
I am struggling with some issues related to my DH, who was diagnosed with "amnestic mild cognitive impairment" late last year (72 years old with a lot of chronic health issues). I don't really have any prognosis beyond this umbrella term, but I'm beginning to think that maybe it's enough for now. His regimen of medications…
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Emosiones
Hay la buenas noches, mi mamá fue diagnosticada con demencia Alzheimer, fue diagnosticada a sus 69 años y desde entonces yo estoy al cuidado de ella.
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From NYT: When They Don't Recognize You
This should be a gifted link- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/20/health/dementia-family-recognition.html?unlocked_article_code=1.BE8.G3Pn.ikjbW50YMnR2&smid=url-share
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OBSERVATIONS & FEEDBACK
Caring for my DW at home. Early stage AD, complicated by recent stroke. Largely recovered from stroke and now eligible to resume donanemab infusions. DW in denial & angrily resistant to medical help, OT/PT, meds and any caregiver advice and acts. Lotsa verbal abuse & defiance. Observations: 1. We caregivers share similar…
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It is the little things
As a caregiver for my DH, who has mixed dementia, I can no longer work full-time, and I haven't been in a restaurant for over a year. I mostly get out of the house when I can bring my husband with which is a challenge and can be exhausting. Recently, I have been sneaking out of the house early in the morning or late at…
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Worsening Cognitive impairment with Borderline CSF -- When to Retest?
In early 2022, when I was 58, my neurologist ordered several tests due to my having worsening short-term memory and other cognitive issues. A brain MRI showed "marked cortical atrophy", and a CSF test conducted by the Mayo Clinic showed abnormally low Abeta42 (679 pg/ml, normal range is above 1026 pg/ml), although my…
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Things can change quickly
A short while back, my DW was enrolled in Hospice Care. But, 3 months later it was determined she was not declining fast enough, so she "graduated" out of Hospice Care. 5 short weeks later... Today, she was enrolled back into Hospice Care. During those 5 weeks, she lost 16 pounds. As of today, she has had almost no food…
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The Caregiver’s Brain
Greetings Friends, I have not posted here in six months. My wife’s dementia has been moving at a snail’s pace. The days, weeks, and months have melded into a fuzzy blob of time, and one day is exactly like all the others. I am nine and a half years into care giving, and the word “decade” will soon be added to the divisions…
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Love and Loss in Alzheimer’s
My Journey with this horrible Alzheimer’s disease is coming to an end now that my sweet wife of 55 years, Linda, has died on May 31st, 2025. I have learned so much about how to navigate this process over these past few years and am grateful to each of you who has shared their thoughts, experiences and advice. My life will…
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any experience with short term use of sedatives?
My DW has always been pretty good with air travel. Our last trip was December and it went fairly well. However things have really shifted the past 6 months. Any trip outside the house is now a very frightening experience. I am having trouble imagining her getting through our big city airport experience in her current…
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Hospice diagnosis
In reference to the lady I care for. I have a concern with conflicting information. Medical records from hospice Dr states type 2 diabetes. Nurse from hospice stated she was not diabetic. I mentioned this to her son and he had zero knowledge of his mother being diabetic. Should I press her son to get answers or am I being…
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Breathing a little easier
I am breathing a sigh of relief for a change. A month ago I placed my husband in a very small ALF only housing up to 7 residents. Right now they have 4. I placed him after a stay in Geri Psych. Today I was told he will be getting physical therapy and will be attending an adult day care a couple times a week. This will keep…