Introductions: Are you caring for someone with dementia?

Posted by Scott, Volunteer Mentor @IndianaScott, Aug 30, 2016

My mother-in-law (MIL) had what was finally determined to be frontal temporal dementia. She had the disease from her 60s until she passed away at 86. My wife was especially involved in her mom's caregiving due to some serious denial in other family members and a GP who refused to diagnose, even when significant deficits were obvious (mistaking the UPS deliveryman for her husband and not knowing the difference between roads and sidewalks). The most unfortunate result of this, to me, was the lost time when my MIL and her family could have been having meaningful and important discussions about significant matters of importance to her and them.

In my wife's years of fighting her brain cancer, she, too, exhibited many of the aspects of mental degradation and physical losses one would affiliate with a dementia patient.

As an aside, for several years I worked for the national Alzheimer's Association raising money for their research programs nationwide.

I wish everyone struggling with this disease and their caregivers and families strength and peace.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

ndclayt41 | @ndclayt41 | Jan 14 9:59pm

In reply to @ccccc "Any input as to handle the loss of intimacy with your spouse? Or do you just..." + (show)

No it’s a hard to have a loss of intimacy especially when in the first 25 years she never said no, and when the loving turns to abuse

oldkarl | @oldkarl | Jan 15 11:51am

My wife is now at the point she can not remember small details. Such as recognizing a flashlight, or a blanket. I am now doing most of the cooking and housecleaning. Every time something is moved, she swears it has been stolen by one of the offspring who came to visit. She is nearly blind, and mistakes a garage for a motor home. It is hard. We are both 83, and I have many cancers and other issues. oldkarl

laughsloudly | @laughsloudly | Feb 9 6:20am

In reply to @donnajane "Please join me in to this group. I am caring for my husband with early stages..." + (show)

My husband hasn’t been diagnosed with anything yet, but I can relate to others not seeing his memory issues. Sometimes they do, but sometimes they don’t. I know they don’t think we are lying, but it is frustrating that they don’t get it. Are there prescriptions that help slow the progression of dementia?

boppi | @boppi | Feb 10 7:49am

In reply to @laughsloudly "My husband hasn’t been diagnosed with anything yet, but I can relate to others not seeing..." + (show)

Aricept 5mg helped my husband for a year and was slowing benefits but after an increase to 10mg there was another significant improvement

laughsloudly | @laughsloudly | Feb 10 11:12am

In reply to @boppi "Aricept 5mg helped my husband for a year and was slowing benefits but after an increase..." + (show)

Thanks @boppie! Did Mayo diagnose your husband? How did they determine his diagnosis?

boppi | @boppi | Feb 10 11:31am

In reply to @laughsloudly "Thanks @boppie! Did Mayo diagnose your husband? How did they determine his diagnosis?" + (show)

No, we live in New Orleans. He was diagnosed by his Neurologist at LCMC here in conjunction with panel of psychology testing from a neuropsychologist and a series of MRI and CT scans to rule out stroke.

boppi | @boppi | Feb 10 11:44am

In reply to @laughsloudly "Thanks @boppie! Did Mayo diagnose your husband? How did they determine his diagnosis?" + (show)

I also find supplements of Youthful Brain and Balance of Nature help him tremendously for better appetite, desire to analyze things he can’t understand. Look these supplements up as they contain many nutrients and vitamins.

laughsloudly | @laughsloudly | Feb 10 11:58am

In reply to @boppi "I also find supplements of Youthful Brain and Balance of Nature help him tremendously for better..." + (show)

Thank you!

coping123 | @coping123 | Feb 10 12:02pm

In reply to @laughsloudly "My husband hasn’t been diagnosed with anything yet, but I can relate to others not seeing..." + (show)

There are medications that can help. They are usually not prescribed until after a diagnosis as different medications work for different types of dementia. And some medications can be prescribed in some cases. My husband - who had LBD - is on a medication that has a “black box warning”. However, based on his overall condition & degree of dementia he is prescribed a moderate dose.