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Caring for a healthy Spouse
My wife has Alzheimer's, 84 years old with a history of ALZ for 5-6 years. Her memory and cognitive skills are almost gone. She is totally dependent on me for daily living. She takes care of her personal needs. Otherwise she is very healthy. Can handle many tasks given close supervision. Even mows the lawn. She thinks she…
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My DH wants my undivided attention
Please give me your advice here. My DH wants my undivided attention. He can be doing nothing, but if I get on the phone to talk to a friend he always seems to “need” my help. And many times he says that me being on the phone is just when he thought we were spending time together. The truth is we are retired and spend most…
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Sundowning
Hello ! I am new here just looking for advice. My mom is 53 years old and in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. She starts sundowning around the time I get home from work and I’m looking for tips and advice on how to deal with it. Im so tired after work and I just want to relax so I get frustrated. She is on meds for…
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Relatively strong appetite in late stage 7?
My mom is in MC and on hospice in what I would say is late stage 7: in a wheelchair, no communication, no facial expression, rigid limbs, super skinny (her hands look skeletal—there is no other word), little or no vision in her left eye, semi-sleeping most of the time, etc. She is in her early 70s, diagnosed with EOAD more…
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Scratching, Scratching and more Scratching
It never quits. She has scared herself and I just keep plugging the leaks. I have tried EVERYTHING. Dermatologist said it was a part of the disease. Googled it and yes there are a lot of Alz patients that do this. I have tried lotions, oils, pills, changed washing detergent to hypoallergenic, don't bathe by 3 times a week,…
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Sundowning
Hello ! I am new here just looking for advice. My mom is 53 years old and in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. She starts sundowning around the time I get home from work and I’m looking for tips and advice on how to deal with it. Im so tired after work and I just want to relax so I get frustrated. She is on meds for…
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Support
Hello, I am the youngest of my mother’s 3 daughters. I am taking it the hardest but I am able to be there for her on the weekends, as I work full time. I need some opinions. I feel depressed and sad because she doesn’t want to hang out with me sometimes when I have my daughter. She is 7 years old. They say that my mother’s…
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Suggestions please
my g.m. In law is the one I am helping to take care of. She is 75 and getting more age spots. She believes she is being abused when she sees them and thinks they are bruises. Any suggestions on how to deal with false abuse claims?
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Hospice during hurricane
We just had a hurricane hit. Over 2 million people were without power. I'm impressed that the hospice chaplain, CNA and RN all called to check on my parents. They said to feel free to call the hospice agency if they need assistance. I thanked them for being so thoughtful. My parents have low battery on their phone and my…
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Memantine
My DW's neurologist increased her donepizil dosage from 5mg to 10 mg and she was experiencing nausea. We reduced the dosage back to 5mg and the nausea stopped. The neurologist has now prescribed 5mg memantine twice a day to supplement the 5mg donepizil. Do any of you have experience with memantine and possible side effects?
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Just need a hug today
My DH is in Memory Care since January. I have been going thru chemo & had surgery 4/25. I'm just now getting where I can drive & go visit him on my own. They had to medicate him due to agitation & aggression. The last 3x I visited him he slept except to wake up to eat, then went right back to sleep. The doctor is gradually…
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All necessary input relative to the initial discussion about my Aunt received. None further needed.
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Seeing things
My wife has been seeing things for a few weeks now. Sometimes she knows they aren't real, and other times she insists they are. It's sometimes hard to know which it is sometimes, and I sometimes say the wrong thing. Any suggestions or comments?
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Dad with dementia, COPD, CHF now in renal failure-wants no treatment
I moved both parents to an ALF three months ago. Both with AD. Dad has COPD and had been hospitalized to treat new onset CHF three months ago. When he was released from the hospital we moved him straight into an ALF with my mom. The ALF called last night saying dad now shows signs of beginning stages of renal failure. They…
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Needing to Vent
I'm having a really rough go of it. Mom with MD has gotten SIGNIFICANTLY worse in the last week. No infections, UTI, nothing on the "surface" level to have caused it. I called 911 last week so they could check her out when she refused to get into my car to go to the ER or UC. She's also sundowning pretty regularly now.…
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Automatic Stove Shut Off Device
Hi all, My DH left the gas grill on all night, luckily, with no damage. I’ve ordered an auto shut off timer for it. While I’m at it, I’d like to get one for our electric range as well. I’m seeing a CookStop advertised, that looks like what we need, but I can’t actually find it available anywhere. I also see an Iguard…
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New Here: Looking for support/community for "secondary" caregivers, extended family
Hi Everyone. My first time here. My sister in law was diagnosed with early on-set Alz about 16 months ago (after about 4 years of misunderstood difficulties) and seems to be progressing very quickly. I'm with her at least two days a week as a secondary caregiver to 1) spend time with her and 2) help take some of the…
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Guilty, Not Guilty
I sit here this morning, thinking about guilt. My DW will maybe hop into a car with her sister tomorrow and drive up north to visit with her giant family over the 4th of July. DWs anxiety has really ramped up the last few months and travel gets her super anxious — she can't figure out dates, driving around curves scares…
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False Memories
I am caring for my mother who was diagnosed a little over a year ago. I have seen quite a decline in her memory and understanding. But, what I struggle with most is how to handle false memories. For example, whenever we are out at a restaurant or shopping, she will make comments like "we always sit here" or "that family is…
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Financial Assistance
Hi! Is there any sort of financial assistance available for parents still living in their house with severe dementia (other than Medicare/IHHS?) in California? Either for my Dad or for me? I am full-time caretaker having to move here and go "visit" my own home back out of state once in a while. Been doing this the past few…
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DH in hospital, update
Now that I have a minute to sit down I thought I'd share the rest of the story surrounding DH's hospitalization. I have thought about not sharing the following information but I've decided to share it, maybe for support or to hear someone say that they have experienced something similar because my hands are tied legally…
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Argumentative
Hi new here my mom has had dementia for 2 years she thinks she can do whatever she want .she cancels dr appointments when she knows they Important and she argues with me she not going she does have other health issues I don't know how to help her understand how to get her to go without a argument
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Neuro/pyschiatrist test
DH was tested late January early February. Still waiting for results to be sent to neurologist and myself. We did have a quick meeting which he explain Dh had had moderate alz. But nothing since then. Is this normal?
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Contacting psychiatrist / psychotherapist
Thank you for responding to my post last week about sending a portal message to my DH’s PCP in advance of his appointment with her. I am sending it today and will try to hand a copy to the nurse day of, as well. I also reached out to our retired trust advisor (now a friend) for some advice and now have a good idea how to…
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Travel with spouse in middle stage
We have been planning a trip to France for several months. My husband seems to have more pronounced symptoms lately. To be honest, I'm worried that an extended trip (3 wks) , with the traveling to several locations, may be too stressful for him. Has anyone travelled with their loved one? How did you manage the confusion…
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How can I care for my mother on my own without losing myself?
My mother is 61 and has been diagnosed with dementia. I'm young - 33 and dating. I have a life to live but I am also the only person who can care for her. My father died 10 years ago and my living brother refuses to support her care as he "has done enough in this life" after my grandfather had dementia and father died of…
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Dad is closer to me now and in a memory care community - we are new to this
Hello dear community, I know that I am not alone. I think hearing from others on this journey will help me cope and understand that some of what I am going through with Dad is part of the disease process. My heart is breaking. So here I am seeking camaradarie and support. My Dad was living independently with an Alzheimer's…
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Refusing to spit
Hello all. I wanted to know if anyone is experiencing this and if you have found a remedy. My dear mother has moderate to severe Alzheimer's. She tends to hold saliva in her mouth and swish it around, refusing to spit it out. She's not rude, she will nod or say Mm hmm when I tell her to spit it out in the sink. Then she…
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Progression - coping with ongoing loss
Just a vent and an update. My mom is safe in a great MC. It costs a fortune and probably some of whatever inheritance I’d get but it’s worth it. I’m her sole caregiver. She’s doing well overall - still able to go out to dinner sometimes, still mostly knows me, still able to laugh - but her memory and adls and symptoms are…
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Can Seroquel cause cognitive decline?
My HWD's neurologist prescribed 50 mg of Seroquel at night to help calm down his aggression. He is also on Cimetadine for hyper sexuality. The aggressive behavior has calmed down a bit, but I also feel like he has declined cognitively. Is this what happens? I am much better able to handle him now, but he can't remember…