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Dealing with a Spouse with a “Mild Cognitive Impairment”
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Jun 26 11:56am | Replies (699)Comment receiving replies
My husband was diagnosed with mild cognitive decline 2 years ago. It had a very gradual onset. It is very difficult for me to deal with this Behavior. I did go to a therapist for 4 months but it wasn't helpful really. We both go to a memory Clinic and he is evaluated every 6 months. We had an appointment yesterday and they are calling his condition stable. He takes Aricept. I have to assume it's helping. The behaviors that come with this diagnosis are so hard on me and I constantly have to as they say let things go. He blames me for everything, is irritable, and at times I just have to go someplace. For my own sanity I visit friends when I can but none of them live nearby. My son and his wife live also in Vermont where I live, but two and a half hours north of me. They are totally understanding but half busy lives.
Replies to "My husband was diagnosed with mild cognitive decline 2 years ago. It had a very gradual..."
@dianaml My husband was diagnosed with MCI in 2014, for the first 8 years he declined slowly cognitively, but was fully functional- independent in self-care, driving short distances to familiar places, taking his meds appropriately, enjoying hobbies. From my work, I knew what lay ahead with that diagnosis, so I had plenty of time and his cooperation to get things in order with wills, advanced directives, POA, car titles, a pre-paid funeral plan.
I was prepared for the cognitive decline, BUT I wasn’t prepared for his developing near constant irritation, anger, shouting, profanity, etc. He was never physically threatening, but living with those behaviors was really hard.
Because he was functional, I started traveling to visit our kids and their families, reconnected with high school friends and traveled to see them, went to places near where I grew up to visit, went to see elderly cousins. Doing this gave me much needed intermittent breaks, to be able to “carry on” at home.
In 2022, my husband needed to be hospitalized and was then discharged to Assistive Living, where he is today. He got into “You’re not the boss of me” and wouldn’t let me help with meds, wouldn’t eat what I cooked. He’s happy there, has a group of guy friends, likes teasing with the young staff, has never asked to come home, continues to slowly decline.
Being on my own and having to manage a house, the finances, etc is a learning process, but it’s a huge relief to no longer be living in Crazyland.
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@dianaml
Thank you for the hug! They are always welcome!