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.

providence1960 | @providence1960 | Feb 8, 2019

In reply to @IndianaScott "@providence1960 TRUTH! Pure caregiver truth!" + (show)

And just had an hour of “one minute at a time”...
Mom was so confused this morning....but lots of distractions I provided calmed her although it took longer than usual today. It’s such a diabolical disease. At least the sun is out even if it is only 22 degrees. Will get Mom to the mall for some indoor activity. Spring and warm weather will be a blessing.

Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | Feb 8, 2019

In reply to @providence1960 "And just had an hour of “one minute at a time”... Mom was so confused this..." + (show)

Sorry to read this, @providence1960 Those days are tough indeed!

I agree --- COME ON SPRING! It is only 7 here and light snow. At least Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow so spring will be early -- and he better be right!

Enjoy the sunshine and don't shop too much at the Mall 🙂

Strength, courage, and peace!

shirleymac | @shirleymac | Feb 26, 2019

I’m not sure where to start a post, but need help. Again. My husband has dementia-like issues after viral encephalitis was disgnosed in Jan. 2012. He has now started to sleep-walk and of course, doesn’t remember it. Last night he must have been up for some time and had opened closet doors, messed up tax papers on my desk, moved other things around and looked for food. I am a very light sleeper, but was exhausted and didn’t hear him. I need to get some kind of camera system for our house that connects to my phone. I will need at least two cameras and an alarm on my phone to alert me. Has anyone else done this? I wast to proceed assp.

sallysue | @sallysue | Feb 26, 2019

I use a baby monitor. It’s just audio but I can tell if my sister is up and moving around. It is not expensive and needs zero upkeep or installation. It does not however, connect to my phone. I plug it in at my bedside at night and then carry it with me to whatever room or outside during the daytime. I’ve never run out of battery.

providence1960 | @providence1960 | Feb 26, 2019

In reply to @sallysue "I use a baby monitor. It’s just audio but I can tell if my sister is..." + (show)

Great idea!

shirleymac | @shirleymac | Feb 26, 2019

In reply to @sallysue "I use a baby monitor. It’s just audio but I can tell if my sister is..." + (show)

Thank you! I did think about that, but I need to keep an eye on him if I’m grocery shopping, etc. I’m looking at Consumer Reports ratings, but wish someone could tell me how they like an indoor security camera.

faithful23 | @faithful23 | Feb 26, 2019

In reply to @shirleymac "Thank you! I did think about that, but I need to keep an eye on him..." + (show)

We have Canary cameras. The picture is very clear and the remote monitoring works great. Also you can speak to the person at home using the camera and the app.

shirleymac | @shirleymac | Feb 26, 2019

In reply to @faithful23 "We have Canary cameras. The picture is very clear and the remote monitoring works great. Also..." + (show)

Thank you! I’ll look into that brand. I appreciate your recommendation!

Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | Feb 27, 2019

Hi @shirleymac Sounds like you have been getting some good suggestions here! In our case we, too, used a simple baby monitor for my wife. I got one at a garage sale for $5.00. I also put an old fashioned shop bell on the bedroom door. If the door was opened it jangled and the noise was enough to wake me, especially once I got attuned to it.

Now I have gone a bit more high tech and spent a bit more and bought a Nest camera. It sends an alert to my phone each time it 'sees' anything move. It also has a microphone so I can listen or talk, too. No monitoring expense, just their free app once you buy any Nest product. I went with Nest because I had installed one of their remote thermostats.

Just my ideas of what worked and works for us.

Strength, courage, and peace!