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Hospice and the Just Right Mattress
Hello. Caring for a loved one brings so many learning curves. For those who are dealing with so many questions and so few answers, don't give up! My mother is in late stages and has a bed from hospice that allows air circulation. Unfortunately, half of the inflatable "tube," every other one, has deflated. My siblings and I…
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Downsizing While Caring for a Spouse with Alzheimer’s — Has Anyone Done This?
Hi everyone, My dad (65) has Alzheimer’s and is slowly declining. At this point, he can’t prepare meals beyond grabbing something simple, and he needs help or reminders with personal care like shaving and showering. His speech and understanding are very limited, and while he’s still in good spirits, his independence has…
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From the NYT: How Older People Are Reaping Brain Benefits From New Tech
A gifted link to the article— https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/health/technology-cognition-older-people.html?unlocked_article_code=1.nk8.Wxst.AdgH546VpONN&smid=url-share
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Anyone RV Camping?
Here’s the thing. Right now DH with ALZ has short term memory loss and needs detailed instructions to do tasks. But he actually is functioning pretty well. We love camping and I have been trying to decide if we should just go for it and see how it goes. We desperately need to put fun into our lives while we still can. I…
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In case of an emergency to caregivers
what can I get in case something should happen to me , caregiver, when with my wife alone and she needs to get in touch with 911? It needs to be the simplest thing to use , remembering to dial or 911 is not an option. Any thoughts as every second of delay could be life threatening
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Sleeping or lack there of
My mother has been only averaging 2-4 hours a night. We’ve tried Melatonin and Zzzquil for extended periods and both don’t seem to work. Does anyone have any better solutions that have been helpful? Fyi she hates tea (we tried the sleepy time and Chamomile). I was debating on consulting her doctor on trying low dose…
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Adjustable bed suggestions (attached control)
Hi, I'm trying to find an adjustable bed for my mom, who lives with Alzheimer's. They all seem to have remote controls, and she really needs something that has only a few buttons and is hardwired (attached) to the bed. Otherwise, the remote will quickly go missing. Has anyone found a bed that's working well for them?
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Cymbalta
my wife was always on 30mg a day Nurologist up to 60mg twice a day for depression, anyone have good results
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GUIDE Program - Experiences?
Good day, I am the caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's. My LO's care provider has enrolled her in the Medicare GUIDE program, which is supposed to provide intensive case management to individuals with dementia who reside at home. Does anyone have experience with this program? Can you share what the program has done for…
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Ready to throw the towel in
Brief update: Dad was diagnosed 3+ years ago with VD and onset Alz. He has now been in ASL for 6 months and discussions are being made for the move toward MC. I'm his POA. I've posted about his 2 sisters resisting any directives made by me and they have been sent a cease and desist letter 3 months ago but, still manage to…
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Elderly Aunt....Recent Diagnosis and Home Care Challenges
Hi All, I could use some perspective/guidance/support on our current situation. My sister and I have noticed for some time that our aunt has memory issues, plus a host of other challenges. She has no kids of her own. She was not caring for herself (skipping or cancelling dr apts, not taking or refilling meds, not…
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Stage 4
I have posted before and your responses are appreciated. We are 83 and 84 and my wife has ALZ. We are about 6 years down this road and my best guess is that she is in Stage 4. She is a wonderful person and doesn't realize she is sick. She is happy. However, she is totally dependent on me. I make all decisions, plan…
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pre loss grief
Interesting Article Understanding family members’ grief for a living loved one Study looks at factors that influence pre-loss grief May 10th, 2021 The symptoms of grief people feel for a loved one facing a life-limiting illness fluctuate over time, a new study found – suggesting that individuals can adjust to their…
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Should I or not
My DW is in stage 5/6 of her journey. Her mother has been put into a hospice house for end of life comfort care. She is close to her mother and still recognizes her mother but probably has no idea what is happening to her. I’m torn between taking her to see her mother or not. If I do take her, how will this affect her…
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New diagnosis but extreme condition
Hello everyone, I truly hope and pray for each one of you who is either dealing with this disease personally or has a loved one affected by such a painful condition. I sincerely wish for your strength and that your difficult journey becomes easier. I can relate to your struggles; my mother was diagnosed with dementia last…
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Not Sure What To Do -- Feeling Overwhelmed and Trapped
Hi Again, I care for my mom who has Alzheimer's dementia. She is somewhat independent (own apartment) but can't do grocery shopping, pay bills, remember to take the dog out, go to doctor appointments, etc. I do all of these things for her. I feel absolutely trapped. I used to not only travel often, but also live abroad and…
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Our experience with MC respite
Sept 1, I took my DH /alz stage 6 to a memory care facility for a 30 day respite . I wanted to rest and declutter . I told him the doctor wanted to monitor his medications and he said OK. The only opening was a shared room with a gentlemen with a lot of personal belongings . My DH insisted those items were his and…
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Adult Daycare?
Do any adult children caring for parents use adult daycare? In the past year my dad has lost 25 pounds and his memory is rapidly declining. Excessive outbursts anger. Also experiencing fatigue and anxiety. My mom manages this with my help. It has been effecting my mom to be the constant security blanket for him. Do others…
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Visual issues related to Alz
Hi - my wife has some issues seeing, but it's not necessarily related to her vision. Sounds strange, I know, but it's like a connection/comprehension of what's in front of her. Is this common?
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A Smack of Reality
I have been struggling so much with getting my thin skin hit by complaints from my DW in Stage 6. I realize that so much of it comes from me still carrying denial that this is really happening. Imagine that. Denial still after nearly 7 years when she's also clearly now in Stage 6. The smack of that reality really hit me…
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Some info on elder law attorney fees
An excerpt from Forbes magazine that came across my feed. Hiring An Elder Law Attorney Sorry, scroll back to slide 1 of 7 to start article.
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Questions about Vascular Dementia
My husband was diagnosed Nov 2024 with Vascular Dementia following a MRI. In looking back the signs were present around 3 years ago……..but I the time we didn’t know it was Vascular Dementia. He had a “spell” Feb 2022 that was diagnosed as ketoacidosis due to being a non-compliant diabetic. In looking back to this day there…
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Mental illness and memory care
Hi all! I'm facing a decision about increasing my mother's level of care, and I'm getting very different messages from professionals. I'd appreciate any advice or input you have about what questions to ask or factors to consider. My mother has longstanding mental illness with various diagnoses that features an explosive…
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Sleep
Briefly, my DW was diagnosed in 2019 and is well on her way into the journey. Non verbal (except jabbering all day long, assistance with everything, etc.). So we entered a new phase a few months ago of my DW not sleeping through the night. She has been on lexapro almost from the beginning and risperidone shortly…
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Bidet Toilet Seat
Has anyone tried a bidet toilet seat with their PWD? I have been thinking of getting a non-electric one (HWD can't use remotes or anything other than an on/off button). I was going to get one for my bathroom and then, if he can figure out how to use it, eventually install one in his. He is still continent, but that could…
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memory care bail out
Well I thought I had done it. I placed my DH, probably early stage 6, in a local memory care facility. I had looked at every likely place and decided this one was the best. No health department citations, many many positive reviews. Chickens and bunnies. I had visited 4 times. It has lots of activities, though I knew he…
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Long term care
I am new to the forum. I woke up a week or so ago and was just researching things on ALZ, and came across various discussions. My husband is from a large family (20 siblings and 7 children), and dementia runs in his family. I had some idea what was ahead when he began to have cognitive issues, but I was optimistic that we…
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NYS CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CDPAP)
Anyone live in New York and get the CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CDPAP)? I am thinking of moving back to NYC with my PWD because I suspect rates and services through Medicaid there might be greater than what we hav ein rural Mass. Please share what you know. Thanks. PS we have a place to live so no…
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Mom and Stepdad diagnosed with dementia, Mom and 1 sibling in Denial
This is my first post. I feel overwhelmed. My mom has always been very selfish, conniving, and manipulative. There are 4 kids; sibling R is the golden child (we know it, she knows it). Several months ago mom and her husband were involved in several scams that they carefully hid from us. According to their bank records they…
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Relative and Finance Issues
Thank you for the responses! I really appreciate the advice and support!