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Mom combative when having brief changed
Hello. My 87-year-old mother is the best person in the world. This horrible disease has caused her to become combative in her nursing home. She is mostly pleasant, but when the staff has to change her Depends. Lately, she has been screaming, biting, hitting, and yelling. She is on Mematine: ( Namenda) 10mg for Alzheimer's…
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Donepezil
My mom was diagnosed with dementia over a year ago and has been on donepezil since. I would like any info people could give me with they're experience with the drug. My mom takes hers at night but I notice some take it in the morning, any suggestions on which works best? Thank you in advance.
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Remeron (mirtrazapine) vs Trazodone
Anyone here have experience with Remeron? I called the family doctor this afternoon because we couldn’t wait for the first neurologist visit next week. Mom cries all day, every day, complains incessantly about burning in her feet and fingertips, still complaining about the irritation in her private area( that has been…
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What is the best way to track cognitive changes?
I have asked my neurologist how I could get a neuropsychological assessment for the MCI that was picked up in a screening. They still have not found a cause. Is this the best way to track cognitive changes to get one of these assessments and have it redone periodically? If so, how often? Or is another method better? I…
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Caregiver for brother
I'm new at this. Since June of this year, 2024, I have been trying to take care of a younger brother with altered mental status, who since that time has shown short term memory loss and confusion. I took him to a neurologist and had test done. Other than determining his basic physical health was ok and that he had suffered…
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Donepezil
Unfortunately I have not seen any improvement in my mom‘s short term memory with this medication. Only the side effects like nightmares and things like that. I’m wondering if anybody has experience with their loved one getting off of this medication and if there is any side effects. I read one article that said if someone…
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Donepezil and Memantine
There have been several questions recently about these two. I have even responded to some of them but I have another question. Some have said that they have seen no affect from these drugs but if they are only meant to slow the progress of decline and Alzheimers progresses so much differently from patient to patient, how…
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Respite and Guilt
Oh, this damn disease. I was re-reading the super helpful "The Cavalry isn't Coming" post again and remembering how darn true that is. I've been on my own with this for 4 years, though have gotten a friend and sister to help exactly one time each. And now, I got a sister and a couple of friends to come take care of my DW…
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Advice on moving.
My DH passed about a month ago.He had been in high level AL/MC for over 2 ½ years. He had severely disabling Parkinson’s disease and dementia, diagnosed about six years ago, but it went back further than that. I am in the midst of grieving, and overwhelmed with unhappy memories of the last years. Everywhere I go, I see…
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"Child" proofing cabinets
DH is at the point where he is starting to go into cabinets looking for things. Any recommendations? Do baby proof ones work or will he be able to open them? Any ideas will be so helpful. Thank you all.
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Understanding late stage
Good morning. My mom is mid 80s and was diagnosed 7 or 8 years ago. She is definitely in late stage 7. When I read the chart she hits most of the makers. She no longer can walk and has not been able to do so for a couple of years. She needs assistance for everything. She can no longer hold her head up. She tends to lean to…
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Giving up on life?
My mom has started to not want to get out of bed except to use bathroom. She’s been losing weight because she’s not eating her meals and only eats small portions. I’m of the opinion to not force her to do anything she doesn’t willing want to do. If I can gently get her to do something I certainly will , but she’s always…
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We took a nap
When I got to MC this afternoon, DH was lying in bed. I teased him about being in bed all day and he said he had just gotten there and was tired. I usually sit on the edge of his bed and visit with him and then try to get him up. Today, kind of on a whim, I got his extra pillow and crawled in beside him. The bed is small…
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Moving DW to Memory Care
How do I tell my DW that she needs to move to a Memory Care facility? She get angry very easily and she says she doesn't want to lose me. Our children are supportive, yet this is a very stressful time. Don't know how to handle it.
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Alzheimer’s-Posterior Cortical Atrophy
Don’t remember if I posted this already but I recently realized symptoms my husband had early on several years way before diagnosis. He complained of dry eyes but I think he just couldn’t describe what he was seeing. He also had difficulty spelling common words and doing simple math. He became obsessed with the garbage,…
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Me time in the morning
For 50 years DH enjoyed having his morning cup of coffee in the den watching the news. I enjoyed my time in the kitchen having my cup waking up straightening up! More and more he has been in the kitchen sitting in my chair watching every move I make. I understand why but it’s driving me crazy! I miss “my morning” time! We…
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Another fall
And another injury to the same arm she tore open 6 weeks ago. No pool of blood this time, but a small fracture at the top of her shoulder (acromion, no displacement of the AC joint for the medical folks here). They wouldn't have found it if I hadn't pushed for more evaluation after the plain films were done on the arm and…
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Loved one in facility
Hello everyone. I am thinking about getting my LO in a facility, as I am unable to get back to work otherwise. My question is...for those who have your LO in a facility and you take them out for the day for whatever reason, is it easy to get them to go back to the facility, or do they hesitate and argue. Just trying to…
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Costs of early to middle stage care
I am looking at purchasing some long term care coverage. One that I like starts benefits when I can't do two of the six activities of daily living (ADLs), like dressing, hygiene and eating. Others start benefits EITHER for that, or for having cognitive impairment. I assume that there are circumstances in which I could have…
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Living with a parent with early onset dementia
Hello 👋🏽 I am new to taking care of a parent with dementia. It has been a complete struggle for me. I am a single mother to a beautiful son who is diagnosed with autism. My mother was told by her doctor that he is taking away her drivers license and has asked me to “hide” her car. She is now questioning me about her car…
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Angry at optimists
Anyone else get super upset when caregivers tell you how great your loved one is doing because they ate? Oh, Dad’s doing so well. He ate all his lunch. Look. I know you don’t know my dad pre-late stage Alzheimer’s. But MY DAD, the person, not the body, is not doing great. And I find it so condescending when people tell me…
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Struggling with parent who is avoiding confirming diagnosis.
Hello! I’m looking for advice: Some background: my maternal grandmother and her eight siblings all suffered with Alzheimer’s. My grandmother was diagnosed at the age of 74 and lived until she was 83. My 73 yo mom, who cared for my grandmother, is slipping fast. All the same behaviors, personality changes, etc. however, she…
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Fell again
My dad, 89 with VD, fell again. In January 2023, he broke his back, then a few months later he fell and fractured his pelvis. Then this year he fell 3 more times but with minor injuries. However, today hell fell and fractured his humerus in 2 places, fractured his right hip and femur. I think my dad can only take so much.…
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Wonders of cognition
Yesterday my husband spelled his first name incorrectly on a coloring page, but an hour later while outdoors on a walk, he heard a motorcycle roaring and exclaimed, “Did you hear that motorcycle in this cold weather”! A compound thought! He has a South African aide with an accent who says his name over and over when she…
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Guilt about memory care/Assisted living
I signed the paperwork for my Dad to live in a memory care facility. He is 83 and has late onset Alzheimer’s with mood disturbance (mostly anxiety, he is not aggressive). I keep talking with him about selling the house but he cannot remember day to day we talked about it. He moves Monday. My cousin is giving me a break…
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I need help
my husband will not shower anymore. I have to learn not to ask him anymore because it’s wearing me out. Shaving too although eventually he does shave. He’s sleeping until 2 pm. I wish he were ready for memory care meaning he will refuse to go. I don’t know what to do anymore. He’s wearing me out. I think I’ll get in touch…
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sundowning
My mother is 84 and has been sundowning for almost a year. It occurs when she asks about her husband (my father) who passed away 7 years ago. My brother and I started out with the approach of just telling her the truth which I know is considered a bad idea. But here it the problem, we have tried other approaches. It was…
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Had to separate mom and dad between Missouri and Arizona
Has anyone here ever dealt with needing to separate spouses from each other because of the caregiver situation? My younger sister is able to start caring for my dad because my mom really cannot take care of him. They typically spent their winters in Arizona, but now mom is living back at their home in Missouri, but dad is…
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Loves the family members that don’t help
My mom will brag to anyone who will listen about my sister and brother but when it comes to me, the one who is actually taking care of everything, the one who she is living with- nothing Don’t give me wrong I don’t want. Do I need to be In anybody’s eyes, but it sure would be nice to get a pat on the back every once in a…
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Happy Friday!
Happy Friday to all the spouse and partner caregivers! Do something nice for yourself this weekend, however small! Sending love & hugs!