Introductions: Are you caring for someone with dementia?
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.
@juani I understand what you are experiencing. My mother, now 91, was having the same paranoid ideas of people coming into her apartment and moving things, hiding things and purposely trying to upset her. After a lot of reasoning I had her hospitalized in a Geriatric Psych unit at a local hospital. She saw a Geriatric Psychiatrist who gave her a couple of prescriptions while she was in the hospital and then a script for when she got home. It really made a difference.
Just a thought: Have you talked about this with your mom's doctor?
Teresa
That's a thought....I convinced my mother to visit a geriatric physician after several months....we would go in a couple of weeks. Your post gives me hope that there is something else to try, Thank you so much.
In general, I am so happy I decided to join this group Thank you Mayo Clinic!!!
@juani
We are glad that you have joined us as well. Often the collective experiences of others can help us with problem solving!
Teresa
Good morning @juani Thank you for the response and for being here with us all on Connect! We are only stronger as caregivers as a group -- sharing, helping with hints and tips, and perhaps most of all by listening!
Remember superheros only exist in the comic books. Not in caregiving. We can only do so much and I will think of you often and hope you are not too hard on yourself!
Strength, courage, and peace to you today -- and every day!
Thank you Scott...I needed that. Anne (new to the group)
Hello @mtnview, and welcome; may I ask what brings you to Connect? We look forward to getting to know you.
I am the sole caregiver for my husband in late middle stage of Alzheimer's. Such a challenge everyday. Nice to know others are going through this as well.
I am my disabled husband's primary caregiver and, while we have two hours of help from Visiting Angels daily, I'm still on the job 24/7. Due to excessive anesthesia (he had three operations, was in an artificial coma for a month, and hospitalized for 8 months), he has some memory problems. His forgetfulness seems to be increasing, which could be the result of the all the medications he takes. The combination of caregiving and Christmas is exhausting. As willing as I am to do tasks, my body aches, and I'm accomplishing less. Today I took a nap.
Hello @harriethodgson1
I am so sorry to hear of your husband's disability and medical difficulties, both physically and cognitively. You have a very challenging life. That is great that you took a nap!
What else would help you to deal with your daily challenges? Do you have other sources of support that you could call on? Also, what types of activities can you do to take care of yourself (I'm thinking of things like exercise or time away from the house with friends, etc.)?
Teresa
Writing is one of the best ways I take care of myself. I wrote books to help others and write for three websites, including The Caregiver Space. I have a group of supportive friends, although I don't see them often. I have a supportive extended family. I continue to research caregiving and find things that make my life easier. We try to get to Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center once a week. We also attend church and have a supportive church community. Every so often I declare a "Nothing Day" when I focus on taking care of myself.