Dealing with a Spouse with a “Mild Cognitive Impairment”

@joycel10 Thank you for posting this! Question: do the identify that there is plaque buildup in the brain from an MRI? Or a PET?
At what point does a doctor move forward with one of these scans, does the level of cognitive impairment need to be high?
Kind of worried that a treatment like this might be overlooked and waited too late. Thanks.

These are are very good questions. I was followed by a Neurologist for a couple of years. Every year she gave me a written test with a supervisod
Psychologist.
When she saw a my numbers are going down she started testing with pet scans, blood test to see if I hv the dna other test
Pet scans saw I had plaque on on brain. I did a lot research there are 2 infusions Laquembi and Kasula the first 2 X month the second once a month stronger
I went the 1st one
Let me know if you want to talk
Joycel10

I can certainly relate. My husband was diagnosed with MCI about 3 years ago. Every month he seems to get a little worse. It is a frightening feeling that the person you have depended upon (married 56 years) is not "there" in the same way. I am usually patient but I find that rather than repeat the same story from the beginning again and again, I just don't bring it up. I try to get him to do some games like crosswords, but he isn't interested. I signed up for this group about 3 years ago when he got the diagnosis, but haven't found it necessary to follow. Now I do, and I thank you all for being there for support.

@agnes01 Thank you for sharing.

I don’t miss my husband as much as I miss the activities and friends I have had to cut back on. Besides the MCI, my husband also has some orthopedic issues that keep him from taking long walks and playing golf. I have also had to cut back on long walks and golf because I don’t like to leave him too much. I do manage to get other exercise.

I also sometimes want to ask my husband to give my brain a rest since he relies on my mind and memory when his fails.

We are married almost 59 years!

Yes. I too have a spouse diagnosed with MCI. We have been together for 53 years. It’s difficult having to repeat things. I sense she is slowly slipping away to some other place. She is not enjoying life in the way she used to and tends to be quite negative. She also does not reach out to her friends anymore. I find I also want to be alone as it is easier. One thing I do is make sure I set up social engagements, lunches, visits etc. That is good for both of us. Oh yes, another thing is that is is sometimes quite “clingy”.

@grandmajoan
Thank you for sharing. It is harder to have people over now without help. Going out to eat with friends is the best choice to keep the social contact going. Your words are very helpful. Thank you! Agnes01

@annie1946
Thank you for sharing. I understand everything you are saying. It is a bit overwhelming to see how much your spouse depends on you. He wants to go everywhere with me. Usually it's OK, but sometimes, you just want to be "quiet" by yourself. I also try to make a regular social schedule with our church, friends and family. When I get tired I think of all the times he has been there when I needed him, without complaint. This is what your marriage vows mean.

That is a great thing to remember. Thank you. I worry about the future a lot too.

@grandmajoan —I hear you! At every turn, we hear “exercise is very helpful for memory patients” but when the patient can no longer walk that far, or has pain when they do, well…not only does it take away the beneficial movement for the patient but also another way of doing health things together. I find myself forgoing walks, for fear of making him feel even worse…and that isn’t good for MY health! I also feel I’m missing out on some things for not wanting to leave him alone too long. And he says “May I borrow your brain for a minute….” You and I are in a similar place. 52 years married, here. Take good care of yourself! (Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out how, with the limitations? Be well.

@joycel10 My husband just made that same decision this past Friday at the Neurologist’s office. All the tests seem to point to it being a good idea, to help slow the memory loss. He will be starting Lequembi as soon as insurance is sorted out, which hopefully will not take long. Best wishes to you!