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Don’t know who to address as question
for those of you who may not know me my wife is in a good place with this so far. Doesn’t drive, not interested in cooking. Has short memory loss and confused at times. Can be left alone and people surprised when I tell them. Ok question. Last 3 nights at same time she gets up to go to bathroom and pees on way. She’s aware…
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My Stage 8
My DH passed on 4/17 at 73 after a 12-year journey with AD. The last five were tough years. He was in memory care for 6 mo. After being in a psych unit for a month, due to behavior. He went to a second MC at mid stage 6, developed aspiration pneumonia and was gone in 5 weeks. This week I finished the required paperwork for…
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Condom catheter
DH is incontinent at night. He doesn't wake up once he falls asleep. Needless to say he is soaked and often the sheets and waterproof mattress pad also. His urologist suggested a condom catheter ( for my sake). I tried it the other night and had a terrible time putting it on. It stuck to his hairs and I had to take it off.…
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A laugh at the end of a tough day
I won't vent about my day - we all have them. I will share something that made me snort-laugh. So my husband was pointing at the dog on this magazine. I said "oh, it's a cute dog" and he replied "well, it's Kevin Costner."
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What does it mean when they don't know they are home?
Tonight has been so hard. My DH just wants to go to our home - but we are home. He's angry that I won't go home, he doesn't believe me that we live here. He tells me he is being treated horribly. He says he can't imagine being treated his horribly. I am a really patient person. I work every day to treat him well. I know he…
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I'm angry and sad
Hello, I'm new to this site and this is my first post. I lost my Mom almost 2 years ago. She had AD and Cancer. I keep thinking that I will feel less sad and angry any day now but I seem to find myself stuck between these two emotions. There were some unresolved issues when my Mom passed and I never could have a…
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Aggressiveness & Depression
My father is 90, still very mobile but has frequent episodes of anger and depression. He also at times still thinks he is only 50. His memory is getting worse daily and I am concerned that he will even forget who my Mom is and perhaps become violent. Are there medications that can calm him?
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The End is Near
Last Wednesday hospice called and said that the CNA felt there were major changes in DHs breathing. I quickly went to the facility and was surprised to see his breathing pattern. I believe they call it cheynes stokes. Several big breaths, then nothing for as long as 65 seconds. It was alarming to watch. By friday his…
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New diagnosis- she won’t accept it
Stepmom just got a diagnosis of moderate dementia, likely due to Alzheimer’s. Dad has Parkinson’s but is still able to do most things independently and is still pretty sharp mentally. We saw stepmom starting to shift mentally (memory, behavior, moods) 2 years ago but explained it away for some time, and she has been in…
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Father with early-onset now in late stages
Hello, I was made aware of these discussion boards through resources at my university and thought I'd give it a shot. I live in Orange Country, CA. I'm a 26 year old Female and my father got diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's when I was 13. He was in his early 50's. He has progressed extensively in the last six years.…
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DNA test to help with medication selection?
Just got a call from a nurse at my husband’s geriatrician’s office. She was telling me about a new program they have for their dementia patients. One service they offer is DNA testing to see which medications and what dosages might be most efficacious. This would be very useful in trying to find the right medication to…
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Rapid Decline?
My DH dropped 3 points on MMSE in 6 months. I was told this is rapid decline. His score is 18 but they said he has/had high cognitive reserves. I put him at solid stage 5 with a foot in stage 6 on Tam Cummings. Has anyone experienced this with their LO? Does it continue dropping at a rapid rate or can it be a one off? I’ve…
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Omaha area
Hello all! I am looking for people/groups in the Omaha area for those who have been diagnosed at an early age (50’s). I have called around but no results. Just thought I’d through it out here and see!
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New to everything.
I really enjoy reading the posts and discussions. Changes seem to be coming fast. Moms fell about 6 weeks ago and I now believe this may have somehow triggered these new events. She is finding items around the house, clothing, pantry items, nail polish and doesn’t recognize them and thinks I’m playing tricks on her,…
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Stopped showering and talks to pictures
I am new here. My DM was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 3 years ago but is in denial. He is slowly getting worse and I think he is in stage 3-4. I have two issues: 1. He is now talking to pictures of family on the fridge all day. Yesterday he insisted I leave the light on for them. Is that normal? 2. For the last 3 weeks he…
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Feeling down
Mom went to AL 4 months ago. I’m DPOA and have taken most of the blame. When we moved her we did not bring much to decorate her room. Two decorations broke in the move and my brother said he would fix them and bring them to her( he didn’t). My brother insisted she would just ask for what she wants to decorate. Big surprise…
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Eye Doctor Visit
I think my dh's eyesight has gotten a lot worse than his current eye glasses can help with. Any suggestions about how to handle a visit to an eye doctor and/or how to find one that is comfortable with dementia patients? He's in late stage 5 with strong aphasia, stiff body and hard of hearing. He will be a handful.
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Resigning as Power of Attorney and feeling guilty
I don't know if anyone else has ever done this but I decided this weekend that it was time for me to give up power of attorney for my mother. I am feeling horribly guilty and sad about it, but at the same time, also a little relieved. I didn't really want this role to begin with, but I am the organized and responsible one…
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Should my aunt- having recently moved into AL - have a phone?
Hi, Part of her sundowning has been to have episodes where she's very confused and worried about where her sister is, or, most recently, where her (deceased) father is. Generally, someone in the family (but unfortunately most recently the police) gets a frantic call from her at all hours about these types of concerns. Now,…
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Long vent, sorry in advance...
In 2021 my grandparents moved my great aunt into the same apartment complex as me, less than a year after my mother passed away suddenly (and without warning) back in 2020. I was instantly forced into caring for my aunt without any sort of discussion. So now I am 35 and am currently the main caretaker for my 94 year old…
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In Home Hospice
I spoke to a hospice liaison and she told me steps about the process to get a home health nurse out to see my Dad whose dementia is worsening. He says he refuses ever going to a nursing home but my questions is, how do we ensure he is home when the nurse comes by? He has a golf cart and is still cognitive at times but he…
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the nightmare of respite
Sorry, I need to vent to my hive before I take someones head off. My DH is in stage 7 and on hospice. I am having family from out of state come to visit. I was so excited. I was going to put him in respite care for the week. Picked out a spot that was suppose to be one of the best in the city. Friday morning comes to drop…
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Memory Care transition
Well it has been 2.5 weeks since my DH has been in memory care. Prior to this, he spent 3.5 weeks in the hospital. The first couple of days he was there, I literally slept like a log. My bed didn't even look like i had moved a muscle. But as the days wear on I'm finding my big old house so quiet. It's sad. The facility is…
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My husband is in the hospital
After struggling with my husband’s escalating agitation for 10 days at home, I took him to the ER Wednesday night. It was the worst night of my life. The minute they put a wristband on him, he ripped it off and all hell broke loose. We were bustled into a locked room in 30 seconds. For the next seven hours, they knocked…
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Living with Early Onset
Hello community, My father has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers. As you all may relate to, times get rough. I live with my father and 2 other family members with a brother who has recently moved out. At the age of 23, I have a lot going on - with a full time job and hobbies. I love my father and would do…
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Visits in MC
My mom’s new MC is extremely skilled and way more caring. They have asked me to shorten visits and come maybe 3 times a week until she settles in. Last few times i have taken her out have really unsettled her and made her want to leave. Intellectually i know this makes perfect sense. Emotionally it is completely…
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Memantine
My husband’s doctor recommended Memantine. (He called in the Rx, but I have yet to pick it up….) Has anyone had any success/issues with it? I saw a post from a few years ago that didn’t sound promising from the few responses that I read. I am wondering if anyone has any other experiences to share.
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We Moved—WISE OR NOT?
My first post to the forum was last October. I asked about the moving to be near family after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. I was seeking stories of others who did. After much thought, I made the decision to move near our daughter and son in law. It was a three states away move. I say “I” made the decision because my DH is no…