Yes absolutely @colleenyoung I agree it is VERY crucial to communicate any medication reactions, big or small and any changes in behaviors to the doctors. Things can change so fast sometimes with Alz and it just helps so much to stay on top of it - as detailed, tedious and emotional as some things become, you definitely have to remember to care for yourself too @clayton48 ! 🙂

Yes we found Namenda had little or no relief. His moods began to change and he became more aggressive, but in actuality we aren't sure if it was the meds or if it was the disease and symptoms transitioning. Unfortunately to me so much of the meds for Alz patients is trial and error because the disease is so complicated.

Hi, I am new to this site I see the post are older but Alzheimer’s remains the same. I have been a personal caregiver for my mom in law since Dec 13th 2015. She has progressed to havin both Alzheimer’s medications. Her MMSE giving last November 2017 was 16/30
The lowest it has been, as of Jan30th 2018 her dr has put her on 2.5 mg of Zyprexa. While she has on been given her 1st dose at bedtime last night.i will be watching for signs if her not engaging at all. Which is something I don’t want. She has become combative which is way out of character for her. And I do not engage her at that time.
She turned 80 last July and I am very close to her as is she with me, I have been her daughter she never had for 31 yrs. and she only wants me and her son caring for her. And now that is about to change, she isn’t takin care of her hygiene and we will be bring in a caregiver to help her with that. She will turn the shower on and may or may not get in but never wash her hair. I hate to see her havin to go through this because she has always been very independent help 2 full jobs for 25 plus yrs.
she has silent strokes and she is almost totally blind. She has 10 % of her eye sight. So seein her dirty clothes is a challenge for her and she refuses to change. So it has become a issue that we have to address.
The 36hours (book) it all looks great on paper. But each person it different. Sometimes she is here. Most times not so much but sits and worries about losing her independent life she has always known.
Tryin now to stay a couple steps ahead of her ugly friend.
Thank you

Hi @randee, you would find this site very helpful and people very supportive.  So do keep in touch.  I do not have any suggestion for you right now.  Only appreciation for your concern for keeping in mind your mother in law wishes and dignity.  I am at early stages with my mom and as tough as it can be to see the gradual changes in her cognitive capacities and her memory, I can't imagine to reach the point you are right now.  It sounds overwhelming from my stand point of view.  I hope I get to live later stages with the same compassion and courage you show.

Hi, thank you. I took care of my own mama in her last 4 months of her life. Which I never dreamed of doing or wantin to do. But I did want too. When it was plain to see that my mama in law was in trouble livin alone, there was no question as to what we needed to do. We have been livin in her home 2 yrs now and the last couple of months have taken her judgement and reasoning which is very hard to watch because I know who she is without her ugly friend. And that’s who I try and make sure everyone else sees. I can honestly say this is the closest I have ever been to Alzheimer’s and I certainly know more than I care too. Learnin more daily and not likin what it is doing to her mentally and emotionally. But as long as I keep 2 steps ahead of the ugliness. We will get through to the end. I keep her Dr informed of her behaviors and any issues that has come up to the point beyond what I have tried. We took her on her first cruise this last Dec. And it was sad to see just how far Alzheimer’s has gotten.
Overwhelming isn’t what I feel, I feel sad for her havin to go through all the ugly stages while she try’s to fight to stay here.
So with her newest medication I am prayin it just takes the sharpness off the edge she is feelin. Nothing more. We bought a 25 ft travel trailer to take her campin over the summer which is something she wanted to do in 2016, without being with her 2nd caregiver. Today she took a nap to rest her brain and I did up her laundry. She normally will put them away, they are sitting on the couch and she is sitting next to them. Last week she put a pair of pants we bought her away. So I have to wonder what is wrong today and I will continue to watch her. The clothes aren’t in the way and I’m sure if I do say something she’ll tell me she was working on it. I will give her independence as I can.

check her body language and her facial expressions. That really helps a lot if ya can

I have always respected my elders and now that she has this ugly friend with her. All the more reason as long as she isn’t hurting or hurt in anyway. Maybe that’s wrong.. but Miss Ugly has moved in and Ugly talks and yells. Those are things I just have never given any mind too. So I don’t engage when Ugly is present. I will stay two steps ahead of Ugly. And love my mom through it all.
That’s what I feel I have to do for her.
Oh in the early years I made up a game to play with mom. I would “lose” my coffee cup. I say mom have you seen my coffee cup. She would immediately start lookin for it. I always knew where it was. But it made her feel better about what she knew would move in her home. Her father had Alzheimer’s and he got combative but there wasn’t anything to help him. Mom has help. And I do remind her of that. Also because I know her so well, I am able to check her body language and her facial expressions. That really helps a lot if ya can be mindful of those 2 things.
God Bless

Dear @randee thank you for your suggestions.  I liked your coffee cup game.  God bless you.