-
Vascular Dementia
I would like to hear from anyone who is dealing with a spouse or LO who has this dx. My husband has been diagnosed with cerebral amyloid angiopathy—which seems to be the cause of this vascular dementia. We have been married since 1994. He is 79. This dx has turned him into basically a different person. He is 6'10" and has…
-
Who are we really?
We are partners, nurses, thinkers, rememberers, caretakers and captain of a ship we are trying desperately to keep from sinking. We think less of ourselves and more of who we care for. We are the lonely, the lost and often the forgotten. We are what none of us thought we would be. On the flip side of all that, we are…
-
Social distancing for caregivers
Just wondering if other caregivers feel like they have lost all social connection with the outside world. My DH has isolated us with his bizarre behavior and obsessions. There are too many weird behaviors to name when we go out in public. I have actually started avoiding outings due to embarrassment. He has no social…
-
Caring for everyone shouldn't mean losing yourself.
Nobody talks about this part of caring for someone you love. It's not the physical part that breaks you. It's carrying all of this in your head. At the same time. Every single day. → Prescriptions and refills → Doctor appointments and follow-ups → Bills and insurance paperwork → Phone calls that cannot be missed → Small…
-
One more time
Just thought I'd drop in to say "Hi", and share a little story about what's been going on with me. Seventeen days will mark four years since DW passed. Yes, there is life after dementia. Following is a little story some may find worth reading. Feel free to skip this post anytime. I'm not even sure why I'm sharing it. About…
-
credit card
We are looking for ideas for a credit card for my dad. He needs a low limit. He has given his card number out to phone scams Currently we took his card away, but he needs something.
-
How did you know it was time for memory care from assisted living?
My mom moved into assisted living this past January. She has progressively declined since then but loves her new apartment and seems cheerful and happy when we visit and talk (which is multiple times a week between my sisters and myself). However, she has lost the cognitive skill to engage with the activities. She…
-
Bittersweet Day
Today is our 59th wedding anniversary. When I visit him in MC today, I will take him a cupcake and tell him what day it is. He will look surprised for just a second and then it will pass. He won't/ can't remember anything these days much less our anniversary. But he will enjoy the cupcake and I remember what day it is.…
-
Guilt
Does anyone feel from guilt, feeling like somehow our loved one wouldn't be an Alz sufferer if we'd done things differently in our lives, not hurtful things but just maybe taken different paths in life overall, provided better, etc.? Thx HK
-
Just starting the journey
My DW has dementia and I will be the primary caregiver. We have been married 52 years and I am at a loss as to what to do, how to start, what to do or not do.
-
DW Doesn't Understand Questions
I'm really fighting hard to help DW to understand the questions shes required to answer prior to her annual physical exam. I.e. The form asks "Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?", and then comes a list of potential problems like "Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless"…
-
"typical" behavior
We periodically check in with DW PCP and have regular visits from our palliative care nurse. DW's behavior has changed quite a bit as the disease progresses. However, it seems no matter what behavior I describe, the response from the medical professionals is always the same, "that is typical". Sleeps all the time or cannot…
-
I lost my mother thirty years ago ...
Right away I found that sharing my story online helped me begin to heal. I started a website in her memory that is still around, although it is in need of updating, and I'm trying to work on that as I have time. It's still here: https://www.zarcrom.com/users/yeartorem/ Also, I will be walking this fall for my 29th year in…
-
Haven't we all?
Aa my husband transitioned to stage 7, I decided to visit this discussion, as I expect to lose him soon. Then I realized, I lost him years ago. My helpful, funny, kind husband disappeared years ago. Loving someone with dementia means losing them, slowly.
-
Coping When Loved One Remembers Things Wrong
Hi everyone, I wanted to share something that’s weighing on me after my recent visit with my husband. I spent a few hours with him yesterday at the nursing home, and while things went smoothly during lunch, he became anxious and started exit-seeking after. The toughest part is how his memories of these visits sometimes get…
-
Non Stop Talking
My DW has not stopped talking since we came home from shopping at 1 pm today. When there is a slight pause she streams all kinds of accusations at me whch I deny as calmly as I can. She rants about people watching us or people stealing money she claims she has hidden. There is or has been a variety of caustic topiics…
-
Thoughts on Travel
My husband is 56 and has Dementia, Dercum's Disease, and a TBI from his military service. He is well into stage 4. He easily loses focus, gets confused, loops with questions, loses items, forgets to take meds or where he is going, and we are having the discussion about driving because he has gotten lost 3 times in trying…
-
In need of advice on having a certified caregiver come in
Hello all. It has been a minute since I have written here on the forum. I want to be more active here, but I am more so often on the Reddit forums. To preface, I am 21 years old and still living at home. Currently on Summer break and just got a new job that I am starting Monday. Mom has Alzheimers, dad and I are primary…
-
To choose or not to choose
I'm recently diagnosed positive for early stage Alzheimer. Currently I am taking a prescription to help with some memory issues. My Neurologist wants me to decide on one of two intravenous medicine. I am not crazy about the possible side affects. I would like to hear from someone who is on this one and of any side affects.
-
Hoping to Start an Ongoing Conversation Space for Those Living with Dementia
Hi everyone ,My name is Kerry. I’m living with dementia, and like many of you, I’m navigating a lot of feelings and emotions. I’ve reached a point where I’m really craving connection with others who understand this from the inside, not as caregivers, not as observers, but as people living it every day. I’ve noticed that…
-
Books about Alzheimer's Disease
I want to start a thread for books regarding Alzheimer's Disease and caregiving. I invite anyone with a pertinent book about Alzheimer's Disease or the other dementias to post. If someone has the link for Understanding the Dementia Experience, please post it here, so new members can readily find it. The first book I want…
-
I need your empathy and suggestions.
New to this. DW has cognitive issues and is being diagnosed over next 2 months. Most times I am able to deal with this and we still have many good times together. But there are many times when this is so frustrating for both of us and very depressing for me. Walking outside or into another room sometimes relieves the…
-
Did I do the right thing?
There was a notice in the mail that my LO would have to take a driver's exam in order to continue to hold her driver's license. In the report it stated quite clearly this is a result of her Alzheimer's diagnosis. My LO is in total denial, and any mention of Alzheimer's can become a trigger for agitated and aggressive…
-
how to tell others of my diagnosis
I was diagnosed with mild Alzheimers last month. I told my immediate family members (none of them were surprised). They are incredibly supportive. But I feel like I'm in a pressure cooker. I want to tell others and did tell two lifelong friends. Their responses were not helpful—one said tough diagnosis. She clearly didn't…
-
Just diagnosed
I’m scared. Every time I think about it. My mom had dementia and later it turned into Alzheimer’s. Her last 3 years of life was the worse way of living. She cried. Her tears ran down her face but we never heard what was in her mind, even though we all knew she was going through torture. I hate myself for always having…
-
Traveling Internationally With Dementia, Wandering Concerns, and Medical Alert Bracelet Recommendati
My dad is taking my mom to Mexico for stem cell treatment related to her dementia. He is going alone as her sole support person/caregiver. i’ve tried everything I could to try to stop this trip from happening not only does the procedure scare me with a alone. This is something that my dad is determined to do. My mom is a…
-
DBAT Scale; FAST Scale; and others?
Which of these scales have you folks found to be helpful? I am the sole caregiver for my 72 yo DH with dementia/Alz. We live in a rural mountain area. (We have all 4 seasons here).
-
How to cope with early onset decline of my sister long distance
Hi. I live in AZ, my sister and her family in WI. For some time she has had memory issues. She was only diagnosed 2 mths ago and is 66. Last weekend my nephew told me she is in decline, not eating, and is now in her own world. .I am going back to WI shortly. Personally I am crushed. As a nurse I know the support they need.…
-
At home activities
Would like to receive any suggestions for an activity my husband can do with moderate ALZ.
-
questions
My grandma has dementia and needs help doing things. She has been wanting moved every 5 mins to her chair and bed. She keep saying she don’t no what’s wrong and can’t see her dog in front of her everything is on repeat for her. How do I confront her or help her? Trying to not get upset but it’s hard