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Did I draw the short straw...
I have really enjoyed being part of this forum. I get a lot of good information and it's great to share experiences. One thing I notice though is that many of you mention 'watching tv' or 'listening to music' or just in general interacting with your LOs in ways that I can't relate to anymore. And you say they are in the…
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Working?
I’m in the stage in which I recognize my own diminished cognitive skills, but don’t have a diagnosis yet. My job performance is suffering, which is very stressful. How did you navigate this phase? Which came first, your diagnosis or problems at work? Did you resign, or use long term disability? Our family relies on my…
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PET Scan Amyloid results
DH just had amyloid pet scan. Just reaching out to see if anyone has any insight on where he might be with all of this based on the widespread findings. Findings were: "Tracer activity is noted in the brainstem and cerebellar peduncles but not in the cerebellar hemispheres. Tracer activity is noted in the frontal,…
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My DH is wanting to spend every minute with me
My DH is recovering well from knee surgery. I have been caring for him and not leaving the house for 4 weeks. He gets around with a walker and I can take the dog out for a walk now. He gets mad if I am out longer talking to neighbor. Doesn’t know what to do with himself. I looked into having a caregiver come to our house…
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Useful tips and products
Hello, I remember seeing a heading like this in our last format, and it was very helpful. People just kept adding helpful hints and they were all under this one topic. I listed a few: 1) Shampoo Caps: These are a blessing for me, as my DH hates to have his hair washed. Thsy are efficient, neat, and they do thoroughly clean…
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Anger
My DW was recently diagnosed with ES. She suddenly turned angry at me as if I was to blame. She is violent in her behavior with horrible language, extremely scary facial expressions, and on a couple occasions physically striking me. Should this type of behavior be expected or is it evidence of another behavioral issue? At…
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Husband recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
I would love to hear from others who have been a caregiver for your loved one with what I need to do, be aware of, or what was the biggest help for you as you began your journey.
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Snacking problem
My DH (stage 4-ish ALZ) is snacking constantly. I've stopped buying anything "junk food" (nuts, cookies, etc) and have been buying him grapes, raisins, and mandarins which he will consume as much of as I leave out. I've hidden most of the foods that he can snack on but I'm at my wits end. He goes through the fridge,…
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The final blow to my Christmas spirit.....
My DH is in hospice care, and I know this will be his last Christmas. I have been trying to find some joy here and there, but on Wednesday my beloved 14-year-old kitty had to be put down. He had a mass in his abdomen and had stopped eating. His brother, my other kitty, died in September. I just feel like everything from my…
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How to decide if family member with cognitive decline can be allowed to stay in home, living alone.
I am writing for advice about my sister who has been diagnosed with dementia that is vascular related, not Alzheimers. For the last five years, her declining decision making and ability to engage in executive functions, such as managing medications or finances, has become evident to me, her health care provider, and her…
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Impulsive
DW decided this morning that she "had" to be at church early this morning to tell the pastors something. I caught myself realizing that this was one of those situations where I knew there would be no reasoning with her broken reasoner so we went early and upon arrival I just dropped her off at the door and parked the car…
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I wish you all peace
This is an extremely difficult, unexpected journey we are all on. Every day has so many challenges, it sometimes feels like the rest of life is passing us by because our loved ones and our focus have become narrower. While everyone else is getting ready for Christmas, we struggle every day to give our very best and run on…
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Capgras Syndrome
I believe my mother has Alzheimers. She is 78 years old. My father is her primary caregiver. The challenge is she often seems to have Capgras Syndrome. She will go through periods where she does not recognise him and thinks he is an imposter. My brother lives with them and tells her this is Dad. My Dad tells her it's him,…
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Newly diagnosed with Dementia. Caregiver.
I am a caregiver for my husband who has Dementia. I am very sad to see my partner in life in this stage. Some days he is better than others. What book or reading materials would you recommend for me? Thank you.
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Interesting article
After reading this, I truly believe that Gabapentin caused my DW’s EOAD. She was taking this prescription for her lower back pain caused by a car accident many years ago. Chronic and interventional painRisk of dementia following gabapentin prescription in chronic low back pain patients…
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VETERANS NEW BENEFIT - Accelerated Benefit life insurance option
If your spouse is a veteran and has Veterans Group Life Insurance the new benefit allows a family member or an alternate applicant to apply for an Accelerated Benefit Option (ABO) on a member’s behalf, such as when a member is medically incapacitated. With accelerated benefits, you can get up to 50% of the face value of…
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Behavior/cognitive changes after discontinuing donepezil and memantine
My DH just entered hospice. He was on maximum dosage of both donepezil and memantine but the hospice doctor immediately wanted to discontinue donepezil and lower memantine with the goal of stopping it as well. First, let me say, it was obvious my DH’s physical ability was declining when he was screened for hospice, but…
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found out
I just found out today that my mom has Alzheimers. she's in her 60s and yes im in my 30s but its still a shock. I had to tell my 17yr old son today. The doctors caught it early on, however its still hitting me hard. how does someone cope with this news?
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DH with mild dementia, sleeps a lot
DH sleeps 3 hours in the afternoon, @ 9 pm his eyes are closing. If I mention that he sleeps a lot, he gets angry and verbally Abusive. He is unable to help me in simple chores around the house that he used to. He doesn’t do much all day except go for one mile walk twice a day. Is this normal? How do I tackle this?
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Wanting to go home...
I saw this on a Facebook post by Creative Carer. Great tips on what to say or do when our loved one says they want to "go home"… The desire to “go home” is heartbreakingly common in the later stages of dementia. During the last few years of my mum’s life, she often spoke about her parents and longed to be back with…
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Refusing to shower
I have tried everything under the sun to try and help my mother (70) to shower. I have read articles, books, these discussions, you name it. I've tried things like a shower chair, washing her hair in the sink, washing her face in the sink, baby wipes. NOTHING helps when it comes to showering. Every time we approach the…
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Feeling lonely and loosing hope.
This is my first post here, as I just joined today. My dear wife (DW) was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s back in February of 2022. I have been doing the best I can since the beginning, but I now realize I need some outside help. I’ve always been the type of person who thinks they can handle a lot and get things…
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Our 1st day
My wife (65) had lab work done recently and today the results were posted to her account that the lab work indicated that she has Alzheimer’s and we received a referral for a PET scan that is needed by insurance to ok the IV treatment. My wife is devastated and I have no idea how to begin to comfort her.
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Move to an apt. as a second home
Does anyone have experience with splitting time between two places? My dh is at his worst when it’s just the two of us home alone; he struggles with people and place recognition, including not knowing me probably 75% of the time. We live in a rural area on a lake and love our home, but given how difficult it’s becoming to…
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Door Locks
Any recommendations for door locks to prevent loved one from wandering outside?
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Acting out dreams while sleeping
My DH has started being vocal during his sleep and kicking and swinging his arms sometimes. I wake him up as he seems distressed. He says he was dreaming and was acting something out from his dream. He’s never done this before. Is this something typical for someone with dementia? Thank you.
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Dad won't let Mom sleep (or clean or be on the phone)
Hello all, Apologies if this is somewhere on the forum already, I wasn't sure how to search for it. My dad was diagnosed with dementia about 2 years ago. He wants my mom's complete attention and so she has trouble going to care for her sister or being on the phone or internet or cooking or cleaning or sleeping! We help as…
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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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Can I Contact My DH’s Doctor Directly?
My husband has his own PCP and this doctor is very strict out privacy rules. In the past he has said I need to go through my DH if I want to send messages to him. What do I need to do to have the authority to speak with the doctor on my husband’s behalf? Is this when the DPOA comes in to play? Should I provide a copy to…
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Recently diagnosed
I was diagnosed by a neurologist a few months ago The only testing I s were 2 EEG‘s one in office and a 2 day one at home and the psycologist with neurology which included variety of memory/skills testing. After that she said I had mild cognitive and she thought it was probably Lewy Body. Suggested driving test and sent me…