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Trying not to worry
My DH has been in memory care for six weeks now. He had a rough start—was very confused—but seems to be slowly adjusting. However…he’s had two episodes of agitation that got physical. In the first one he had a panic attack and hit a door. Today the memory care nurse called me and when I got on the phone with my DH, he told…
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Fiblets and more fiblets
My husband has been in memory care for 2 months. I am moving him to another facility, closer to home and less expensive but still highly recommended. They are very flexible regarding our needs with the move. I'm telling him that he's moving home, and that this new place is a backup because I don't want him to be alone if I…
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More clingy than ever….
I need to vent…DH is doing really pretty well on his new med regimen. He is sweet, pleasant and calm most of the day. But he is very very needy. Asks for assistance with things feels like every 5 minutes. His favorite question is what are we going to do next. He needs to be entertained. I can’t go into another room without…
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Making a move
I’ve only made a couple of comments, but I read everybody's stories every day. What a gift to all of us living this nightmare. There’s a wealth of knowledge here and I’m so thankful that I found this! Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. I have looked but I don’t see much about moving and when it’s still…
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Activity and distraction ideas
First off you are all awesome. I have learned so much from you. Thanks! It didn’t take me long to figure out that the busier, more distracted, I could keep DH the happier our days are. The minute he gets bored things start to go down hill. I find keeping things busy is exhausting among all else. we currently watch movies,…
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Today is going to be rough
I could use a little strength and grace today. No need to reply but maybe send some positivity my way? I slept badly last night and then started the day at 4 am when I had to change and shower my husband. Why the bad sleep? Today is the day I make my husband's funeral arrangements. I know it needs to be done. And I know…
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Battle Buddy -Stage 8
Well I have finally come to Stage 8. It was 7 years of caregiving , with two of those years on Hospice. I kept my husband home the entire time . It’s been 2 weeks since he passed. The funeral was 10 days ago. I have done so much in those 10 days, including painting the room his hospital bed was in. I don’t know how I got…
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60falcon, over a year now
Hi. I just felt like I needed to give an update. I lost Pat at the end of August last year. She had EOAD and in her last month of life she went from late stage 6 to passing away. Looking back, it happened too suddenly and I was unprepared for how it would effect me. My devastation and grief was probably normal and…
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Advice on Getting LO to go to Day Care?
I’m trying to get my mom to go to a day care, primarily for her benefit but I can’t deny it would be a welcome break. She stays in her room, won’t go out to walk or anything. Occasionally will go out to play bingo. She just complains about being bored and how she used to do this or that. I think it would be a help to her…
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Simple Music Player for Mom
Hi, was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Simple Music Player (also Simpl) from the Alzheimer store? Mom has a particular song she will listen to over and over; however, it is on YouTube and I have to put it on a device for her to listen to (thank goodness for repeat). These seem pretty easy, but they come…
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Medication
Hello Has anyone given their love ones Aricept ? if so , was there any improvement ?
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Please Help
I am at a total loss as to how to help my mother. We just left the neurologist office and I don't feel like she received the help that she needs. Before she was put on Aricept she had anxiety, outbursts, paranoia etc. I truly believe that she needs an antipsychotic. Aricept did make things so much worse. She is no longer…
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Mom wants to go "home"
I am new here, but not to caring for my mom. Sorry this is long, but I want to give some background so you may be able to give me advice. I quit my job, left my 34 year old daughter when she was 24 so she could keep my house in order. We had 6 months earlier lost her dad, my husband of 31 years to suicide, and I moved to…
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A Sundowning Question for Parents of ASD Young Adults
This isn't specifically dementia related. I know there are several parents on the forum w young adults on the ASD spectrum. 21 yo DD helped a lot as a teen w MILwAD (her grandma who passed away in 2016) and was very familiar w her sundowning. Her boyfriend has a brother (24 yo) who is high functioning on the ASD spectrum.…
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Hospitalization and treatment of every new symptom
Got DH placement in a new MC after psych stay to adjust meds for behavior. Two weeks ago, he seemed to have a mild cold. Started walking with shoulders hunched over and shuffling step. Then urinary incontinence. Then a wheelchair in his room that was used for off days when he had trouble walking. Speech much word salad.…
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Dementia caused by trauma for 31 yr old
Has anyone else navigated dementia from severe ptsd and trauma? Especially being in 30s. My situation is unique as my person also recovered once before and has relapsed due to concussions plus trauma and fluctuates depending on stress level and ptsd. They're super coherent and able to articulate most of time etc. We both…
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Dad will not acknowledge anything from the doctor
Hello, I am 37 years old, and I am trying to navigate this awful disease with my father.We are based out of California. He is 72, and he has put himself into a lot of danger (financially and physically). Some of our neighbors have called APS on him, but the neurologist says he is fully capable of making his own decisions.…
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Aricept
Hello All, My mother was started in Aricept in March. She started having hallucinations that were very distressing to her. She stopped sleeping and eating. She ended up in the hospital with suicide attempt. Prior to this she was pleasantly confused and able to take care of herself and light household chores. Aricept has…
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Allowing myself a snarky moment
MIL’s stepdaughter talks the talk but does not walk the walk — she rarely visits MIL in MC nor does she offer to help me with caregiver responsibilities. She finally visited her stepmother in MC and told me “I really should visit more often because she lights up every time she sees me”. Actually MIL lights up for everyone…
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Is it wrong to continue driving?
Hi there. I'm new here. My 54-year-old husband was just diagnosed with Alzheimer's, although we've been working for a diagnosis for over a year, and I think his symptoms probably started three or four years ago. Here's my question/dilemma: Is it wrong for me to let my husband continue to drive? I ride with him in the car…
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Walls up
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Mom was moved to MC side but not MC wing she is refusing to stay in room
Due to my mom's needs, not eating and blood sugar dropping dangerously low (44 once a week), continually calling for various "needs", and most specifically wandering at night she was moved to the MC side of AL. She is not specifically in the MC wing. She is terribly, terribly angry with us and refusing to stay in her room.…
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This Double Life
It's been about a month since I got the official diagnosis of what I've been seeing for the last several years. What a shift in my mentality. I'm more patient with my DW. I'm more content in the decision to move up to her dream home in her dream part of the country, even as she's become more isolated in this super rural…
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Thanks for all the help
I have been reading on this site for a while and only occasionally posting anything. I want to thank everyone for all the questions and all the answers they have been helpful. As an update as to our situation my wife is I think early stage 6 and about five weeks ago had a stoke. I took her to the hospital and they took…
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Actual supplemental oxygen use
Question for you all. What’s the likelihood that someone at stage 4 will wear the supplemental oxygen as often as they should? and does the possession of a Inogen bring that likelihood percentage up? Mom had an 86% oxygen level on 3/27 and an 84% level on 4/11. It had been over 90 in late February. PCP prescribed…
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My DW's old coworkers went by the MC to see her yesterday
They brought her some very pretty flowers for her room. That was a nice touch. I'm glad they still think enough of her to visit. DW thought they were her sisters but deep down she still knew who they were.
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Excessive sleeping in mid stage of dementia
My husband is into his disease about three years now from diagnosis and is 83 years old. His physical health is very good despite his memory and confusion problems. He walks, talks, toilets and dresses himself (same clothes, though, if I don't insist on a change). He takes medicine only for high blood pressure and…
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Just need to talk to my friends (194)
Thank you, Mint and Caro. I thought I'd tried everything but did not try that. Been busy working on getting some of the tax stuff together. Then discovered there was water under the crispers in the refrigerator.. Luckily I had some of those big expandable sponges so used that and got it out. My hand really got cold, too.…
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Sleep Pattern
Spouse sleep pattern has changed, I’m guessing that’s normal. We are somewhere past moderate dementia diagnosed 2 years ago. She will usually go to bed between 8 and 9. Sleep seems ok, with occasionally getting up once or twice in the early hours, however, she will sleep until 11-12 in the morning. It’s about 50/50 if she…
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New to caregiving for self-centered husband
My husband was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's and vascular dimentia, although I have seen the progression for many years. My hardest times are when he doesn't recognize me as his wife. He says I can't drive the cars because I am not on his insurance, he says he is single and doesn't want anyone living with him, that I…