Posts Tagged ‘Disease Progression’
Mom takes forever to say anything, and it’s frustrating Dad
Mom likes to talk. The problem–and it’s been this way for a LO-O-NG time–is that it takes her FOREVER to say anything, she repeats herself and gets mentally lost a lot of the time, and sometimes just kind of forgets where’s she’s going. Dad’s been with her for going on 60 years now, and on a good day, he’ll just finish her sentences. On a worse day, he’ll tell her she’s remembering things wrong. On a really bad day, he’ll just get quietly frustrated and walk into another room to take a nap while she finishes her story. I don’t know how to deal with Dad’s behavior, but I think it’s part of the problem. Doesn’t he realize Mom has Alzheimer’s or some other kind of memory impairment? I can’t believe they’ve let it go this long without doing something. Or maybe he DOES know and doesn’t want to acknowledge it’s real. I don’t know what to do. They’re still living independently, but Dad’s not in good health and I keep worrying about what will happen to Mom when he dies.
Read MoreMom used to be a “talker.” Not any more.
Mom’s had dementia for going on three years. She was always a conversationalist. We’d have long talks at night, and she could discuss ANYTHING until we were both too tired to keep going. Even after her diagnosis, she could talk, though less and less of it made sense. I know she has dementia, but it still felt like she was “there” in a way. Now when I visit, she just stares out the window, like she’s a million miles away. I know it’s just the disease, but it feels like a big BAD change. What should I expect and how do I deal with it?
Read MoreDad knows he has dementia. What should I tell him?
My dad has early onset dementia, so apart from the usual, he’s pretty lucid. He used to be a CPA, and while he can no longer even balance his own checkbook and can’t be trusted to drive without getting lost, he knew something was “off” even before I did. I took him to a neurologist, who ran some tests and made the diagnosis. Dad was super chill about adding me to his checking account and signing papers for POA, and even told me how he wanted his care administered. It was a good call. It’s a year later, he’s slipping downhill a bit more, and everything is in place. But here’s the problem: Dad was super open with me about his dementia, and I feel like I’m betraying him when I hold back info about how bad it’s getting. What to share? What NOT to?
Read MoreMom’s a “walker”, has fallen, and it’s scaring me.
Mom was diagnosed with dementia about a year and a half ago but still lives at home, as it’s not that far advanced and someone is always with her. She walks…A LOT. Not to the mailbox or the kitchen, but aimless walking. I’ll ask her what she needs, and she’ll say “nothing.” If I ask where she’s going, she doesn’t know. What scares me is that she’s fallen 4 times in 2 months, and one of them broke her wrist. I got her Hipsters so she doesn’t break a hip, but the thought that I have to watch her 24×7 to make sure she doesn’t break a bone is freaking me out.
Read MoreMom thinks everything is fine. It’s not.
Where to start? 84 yo Mom lives at home. House looks like bomb went off inside. Food lying everywhere for days, mounds of clutter (trip hazard), and she doesn’t even know the cat poops on the stovetop. Food spoiled in fridge, doesn’t remember how to microwave things. The problem is, when I offer to help clean up the clutter, throw out old food, or have a maid come in once a week, she refuses and says “everything’s fine.” No, it’s not. How do I convince her to accept help when she doesn’t think she needs it?!
Read MoreDad won’t eat.
90-year-old dad has had dementia for 5 years. He forgets people, repeats himself, the usual. He’s never been a big eater, but lately he barely touches food. The staff at his facility tell me it’s normal in the later stages of dementia. I guess I’m wondering if there are any tricks I can do to keep him eating, because if he doesn’t eat, he won’t be here long.
Read MoreI’m worried I might have dementia and want to prepare my kids for it.
Hi, I’ve been having short-term memory problems for some time. I forget where I put stuff, what I was doing, and even certain words. My handwriting has gotten worse, I’ve forgotten to pay bills, and my organizing skills, which used to be good, have gone to hell in a handbasket. I’m only 68, and while I still can, I want to make it easy on my kids when they have to move me to a memory care facility. What should I be thinking about? I’d like to think I’m worrying for no reason, but that’s not what my gut tells me.
Read MoreDad no longer remembers who I am.
Moved Dad into a memory care facility 3 years ago. I check on him every day, talk, and bring him a treat (usually donuts). He seems happy, but he has me confused with the nurses, and says his kids never visit any more. I’m there EVERY OTHER DAY! My heart is breaking that he can go on and on about how proud he is of the daughter he imagines while his REAL daughter is standing right there. I feel like the REAL me doesn’t matter. Please help.
Read MoreMom with dementia now has metastatic breast cancer.
82 yo Mom with dementia has been losing weight, having trouble breathing, and feeling very tired, also complains about chest pain. We thought it was just anemia, doc thought congestive heart failure, sent her for full exam, discovered breast cancer from her 50s had returned, now metastatic. He wants her on chemo and tamoxifen. Definitely not telling her she has cancer, but husband and I talked about tradeoffs between treatment and letting her just live out her life. I feel like I’ll hate myself no matter what we decide.
Read MoreFIL’s dementia has taken turn for the worse.
FIL has been in dementia care for 4 years. He was somewhat lucid when admitted, but lately doesn’t recognize his children, thinks dead people are alive, and thinks cereal is “cold white soup.” He acts paranoid, sees people who aren’t there, gets irritated at little things, doesn’t sleep much, and tries to fight the staff. He’s only 68, I feel like I’m watching him die in real time, and I’m both wondering how much longer he’ll have and feeling horrible for hoping it will all be over soon. Please help.
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