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Constant Motion
My DW has moved from sundowners to near constant motion. The last two months have really been something. I'm not sure she had more than 5 hours sleep most nights, sometimes going over 24 hours without sleep and no loss in movement energy. Earlier she was much more agitated and then it shifted to general aimless wandering.…
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Scientists catching up to the value of rosemary
I first began using rosemary essential oil with my mother in 2007 (she passed away from a heart attack in 2012). She became more alert, could recognize objects, could remember her name again, became somewhat more lucid, had a little bit of short-term memory, and was calmer. I have been advocating for the use of essential…
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“Fiblets”
I am having a very difficult time lying to my husband who has dementia! I have always been that person who people could trust and know I would be honest! But now I find I am being dishonest and lying to my husband. I just want to tell him he is not allowed to drive anymore and it’s not safe and that his beloved truck is in…
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Grief
·onpstordSei2 f40m :M5 mtfA29m1s01mg3m5m77ittg3actA9u0i5u3at · Jim Carrey once said: Grief is not just an emotion—it’s an unraveling, a space where something once lived but is now gone. It carves through you, leaving a hollow ache where love once resided. In the beginning, it feels unbearable, like a wound that will never…
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Hope or Cope?
We finally got an "official" diagnosis on Monday - "amnestic MCI with concern for Alzheimer's." DH's next steps are a PET Scan, bloodwork, and another MRI. Now, I just keep swaying between hope for a "cure" (improvement) and acceptance of the diagnosis. Do we fight the disease or do we learn how to live with it? I…
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PPA Semantic variant Swallowing issues
DH has been diagnosed with FTD/ Primary Progressive Aphasia/Semantic variant. He has had 2 tests so far due to trouble swallowing. They have determined it is caused by the muscles in his throat not working in the way they should to move food down during swallowing. I know this is a possible complication as the disease…
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Asking for tips on how to get LO to drink lots of water for radiation
My LO w/dementia is about to start radiation for prostate cancer. He remembers that he had surgery 5 years ago, so doesn't understand why he needs radiation now. He will need to drink 25 oz of water in 10 minutes before radiation, and it's a struggle to get him to drink that much in an entire day. I got the okay for him to…
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donepezil
My HWD has been taking donepezil for over a year…he refused to take it over the weekend because he said that his dr told him to stop (not true) and that I didn't know what I was talking about and was trying to poison him. I messaged our doctor (unfortunat
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In Home care
I had in home care through an agency three days a week while I was at work but our caregiver left to work somewhere else so the agency lined us with a new one after a few no shows. Anyway, it was not a good fit. Resulted in the police being called, my DH was aggressive towards her and left the house walking towards the…
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Lawyer appointment - successful
I met with a lawyer this morning regarding my sister's mismanagement of our mother's money. She is guilty of embezzlement and conversion. The remedy has to occur in stages. First the lawyer is going to send her a letter and suggest a payment plan, if she resists then we move in another direction. Also we, the other…
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Blood test results - concerned
Received my blood test results last week and they seem concerning to myself and my husband. Haven’t heard from the NP to discuss the results. I called and left a message - feeling frustrated Phospho-Tau(217), P plau217, P 0.313 pg/mL High REFERENCE VALUE Negative: ≤ 0.185 pg/mL Intermediate: 0.186-0.324 pg/mL Positive: ≥…
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My beloved is declining
Jacob (pseudonym) has been declining in the past few weeks. We are not married; I use the term "beloved" because we were destined for each other, and I will be with him until the end. I am so scared. he forgets conversations and events almost as soon as they happen; He is deeply traumatized by this and cries easily. Jacob…
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Concern about potential surgery
My DW has a condition that may require a hysterectomy or other type of surgery to correct a pelvic prolapse. I'm terrified that the surgery may accelerate her decline. To this point, nearly 5 years, she has done very well. We are still having a good life and she is happy as am I, although I live every day if fear of the…
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A series of changes and more isolation for me as sole caregiver
This is just me expressing feelings the only way I can right now. This week has been challenging. My husband's Medicaid application was approved, but the part that funds home and community based services is still pending. I applied in August, and I was told that it will probably be February before we actually get any…
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Focus on the Now, the Positive, the Moments
My name is Vickie B. I turn 50 in 4 days, and I've been living with younger onset Alzheimer’s since 2021. Have I cried? Yep- a few short times. BUT I have made it my mission to not stay/live in my sadness. I choose daily to see and find beauty and joy around me. And if I have a bad day, I give myself some grace. Honestly,…
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I am still waiting for the actual diagnosis
I have a neurocognitive disorder and I'm waiting for my neuropsych testing so I can be diagnosed. This is very challenging and I was seeing if there is anyone out there who has or is going through this. Any advice or stories would be great.
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I'm a widow now
My DH passed away 12/10/25 at a hospice house. Thank you to everyone on this message board for your advice and caring support.
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DW probably needs surgery
I have posted before about this but, I am terrified about my DW having surgery. She's probably about mid stage 4 and still doing pretty well. It appears that she may need a surgery. There are two options. One would require about a 4 hour surgery and the other likely more like 2 hours. I'm so concerened about how this might…
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Any Advice for Stopping MCI Progression
What advise do you have for stopping MCI progression to Alzheimer’s? Has anyone on this site found anything that keeps this from progressing? My husband’s MCI is stable at this point, and we want to keep it that way. We are using Brain HQ online games, are on a plant based diet, exercise, and are doing everything else that…
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What do you say to LO who is experiencing Hallucinations/delusions?
When my DH has hallucinations, talks about the people sitting around our house (just he and I live here) what should I do? What should I say. I mean, I've said to him that this is "our" home and no one is here but us. He gets mad and tells me that I'm trying to say he's crazy and that I'm planning on putting him in a…
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Preventing outbursts
Greetings, I am in need of ideas to prevent outbursts and/or stopping them. My DH has been prone to outbursts prior to this terrible disease. I am feeling more like he is the hammer and I am the nail. It is just the two of us and our 2 sweet dogs. Thank you in advance.
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Benfotiamine
Hello. My 86 yr old Mother has Dementia. Has anyone here had any luck with the OTC supplement, Benfotiamine (Vitamin B1)?
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Move forward with hip surgery for DH?
I'm still not positive what stage my DH is in, but guessing stage 4 with some symptoms on 5 creeping in. Some days he seems close to "normal" and then there are days that are the opposite. He's still able to care for himself and even fixes dinner for us now and again. Still does his usual chores around the house. Withthat…
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Emergency Respite Care
Hello! I’ve been a longtime member here but haven’t checked in for several months. I wanted to share my recent experience with my own emergency situation and what happened with DH. Although he was diagnosed in 2013, he’s been declining very quickly during the past year and a half. He’s probably very late stage 6. He…
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Christmas gratuities
I am wondering if anyone feels they should give a Christmas gift or gratuity to any of your caregivers? We have a person who has been with us over a year, and comes weekly for 4 hours. She brings us cookies— but I'm not sure I should reciprocate. She is well paid for her time.
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Hospice opinions
I put my DW on hospice about 5 o 6 weeks ago. I’m glad I did but I’m curious about people’s experiences. I’m a retired engineer so I know I can be a pain. But I feel like my primary nurse, although knowledgeable, is a little all over the place sometimes. I also have a hard time with the doctor, who will never meet my wife,…
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Trying to adjust
Wife 78 years old has dementia first noticed problems 4 years ago last year she was afraid to be alone and I quit job to care for her. Now she is at the stage where she can’t speak coherently and gets upset when I can’t understand what she is saying, Entered a memory care facility 2weeks ago after making sure for years…
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What Should I Say?
I am visiting with my parents for a few days and my Mom is very confused. She has Alzheimer’s . She often does not recognize my Dad and thinks he’s an imposter. She is scared of him. He will tell her it’s him. My brother lives with her and he says “that’s Dad.” My Mom is very confused. She says the only two people she…
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Waiting and waiting to finish last Dx test
I see so many here who have been newly diagnosed, and I truly hope you can all get the support you need. I have had all the medical Dx tests—MRIs, biomarker blood work, PET scan. They all point to early stage ALZ, but I still need to have the comprehensive neuropsyche evaluation, but I need to wait until late March to…
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Emotional Support
I am living for 2 years now with my 78 year old mother who currently has dementia. She is now prone to falling cause she often gets confused while walking in our apartment. She had fallen last month cause she bent down to pick her glasses up off the floor. She then fell earlier tonight cause she didn't understand when I…