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Husband developing memory issues
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Nov 6 3:05pm | Replies (83)Comment receiving replies
I am wondering if anyone out there is having this dilemma. I know that Alzheimers is not curable. My husband has moderate dementia and left early dementia over a year ago. As far as I know the only treatments out there are drugs that slow the progression of the disease but come with the burden of getting him to an infusion center on a regular basis ( he needs a WC to get around) and the possibility of significant side effects, brain swelling among others. He is not capable of understanding the need for any treatment and what the desirable outcome would be. Is it ethical to try to convince a person with dementia of a course of treatment for a disease he doesn't even realize he has and has no cure? He won't understand why he is getting this treatment. We are still in the process of going to the Cancer Center for maintenance autoimmune injections for his lymphoma that is now in remission. He does not comprehend the reason for being there. He cooperates I think because we started the chemo and maintenance drugs before his dementia worsened this year.
Right now he is at home with me and is getting 24/7 care by a registered nurse-me. We can afford help and I am taking advantage of that. When we made out our durable powers of attorney and advanced directives we both stated the desire to avoid any life extending treatments preferring to prioritize quality of life instead. Still I worry that I am not making the right decision for him. Anyone in this situation? Any thoughts?
Replies to "I am wondering if anyone out there is having this dilemma. I know that Alzheimers is..."
Kindula is a new drug you might want to check into. It can dissolve plaque in some cases. It’s a monthly infusion
@ocdogmom I read your note, and I wonder what I would do in the same situation, especially since he's in cancer remission and he's going for maintenance autoimmune injections. Maybe you should get a second opinion on his moderate dementia as I thought the infusions were helpful in the very early stages vs. once they bridge to moderate, but then I'm not a doctor. I've been thinking about taking my husband to Mayo in Jacksonville for a 2nd opinion, as we were in mold for an extended period of time, and I read that mold can cause memory loss. But his neurologist says, it's not from the mold as the pet scan and MRI, shows the amyloid plaque. It just amazes me how many people have MCI - Dementia. My generation grew up with so much cancer, and now this. This had to be around a long time ago, but no one talked about MCI or Dementia that I know of. I honestly, might go for a second opinion so you have more information on whether you should give him the infusions. Hey, you can always tell him it's tied to the lymphoma remission. I know, it's not the whole truth but if it helps him, that's all you care about.
Wow, there's so much strategy to this, for a caregiver, trying to figure out one day after the other, what you do next or should do next.
Overwhelming at times. Hope this help. I care about you and every caregiver out there, because I'm a caregiver and I know how lonely this feels, at times.
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@ocdogmom , that’s a lot to deal with and I understand how stressful that would be. Fortunately, he has an advance medical directive that instructs you what to do. I’d take comfort in abiding by his requests. Have you explored Dementia meds that are in pill form?
My father had an advance medical directive too and we honored it. At a certain point, went to comfort care only. Traditional meds in pill form for Alzheimer’s helped him a lot.
Treatments are wonderful for patients who understand and want them, but after that…..it’s more complicated.