1. < Early Dementia & Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Profile picture for SusanEllen66 Susan McMichael

Support Group for Those of Us Living With Mild Dementia

Posted by SusanEllen66 Susan McMichael @SusanEllen66, Sep 18, 2023

I know there is a Dementia Caregiver Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers-dementia/

I would like to have a group for people like me. I am entering the Mild Dementia phase from Mild Cognitive Impairment.
It’s frightening to think about my future.

I'm grateful for this group for Dementia Patients https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/early-dementia-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci/

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Early Dementia & Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Support Group.

Profile picture for alju
alju | @alju | Aug 6 8:25am
In reply to @growbaby "Hi to all Thank you for starting group. A nice forum to read candid experiences. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for growbaby @growbaby

Hi to all
Thank you for starting group. A nice forum to read candid experiences. I am 71 years old and would like to share about 3 or 4 incidents that have happened to me that has me concern if dementia is looking at me.
First, one day asked myself how old I was. Totally unable to recall.
Another day went to buy flea med for my furry children and when it was time to pay realized I did not have my purse. Now I hook keys to purse. Has worked very well
Another day went to ost office to send a package and could not remember my address.
Last expert, could only remember zip code and last four numbers, not the first three digests after zip code . Find myself not able to think of words and later they come to me.

I am able to manage daily living without any problem
Pay bills, clean house, cook meals, keep appointments ( write chores down), run errands, etc etc.
Should I be concerned? Someone said about an MRI of the brain, would this be a good place to start?
Would app feed back
Thank you

Jump to this post

@growbaby
Hello, I am having the similar experiences and it's very disturbing. I draw a blank sometimes when I am completing requests for info on some application or form and can't remember my phone number or zip code. Often I can't think of a name, example a favorite actor or movie, do a quick search, find the name , and 2 minutes later, can't remember what it is, total blank. I find I have to be very careful and pay attention, not let my mind wander or multi-task or I lose things or can't remember where I put down the book 2 minutes before when I stop to answer the phone. Seem to be much more easily distracted and being able to focus on one activity and wonder if I have or am developing ADD. This is extremely upsetting and I wonder how I will be able to function if or as this gets worse.

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1 reply
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carmine100 | @carmine100 | Aug 6 9:53am

What was my excuse for brain freeze sixty years ago?

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carolreid | @carolreid | Aug 6 11:49am
In reply to @growbaby "Hi to all Thank you for starting group. A nice forum to read candid experiences. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for growbaby @growbaby

Hi to all
Thank you for starting group. A nice forum to read candid experiences. I am 71 years old and would like to share about 3 or 4 incidents that have happened to me that has me concern if dementia is looking at me.
First, one day asked myself how old I was. Totally unable to recall.
Another day went to buy flea med for my furry children and when it was time to pay realized I did not have my purse. Now I hook keys to purse. Has worked very well
Another day went to ost office to send a package and could not remember my address.
Last expert, could only remember zip code and last four numbers, not the first three digests after zip code . Find myself not able to think of words and later they come to me.

I am able to manage daily living without any problem
Pay bills, clean house, cook meals, keep appointments ( write chores down), run errands, etc etc.
Should I be concerned? Someone said about an MRI of the brain, would this be a good place to start?
Would app feed back
Thank you

Jump to this post

@growbaby
You can get an annual Medicare wellness exam for free at your doctor's office that includes a basic mental test. That might be helpful to understand what's happening.

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growbaby | @growbaby | Aug 6 7:12pm

Thank you for your feedback
I appreciate.

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muchlefttolearn | @muchlefttolearn | Aug 6 10:04pm
In reply to @renee1941 "@muchlefI ttolearn I feel generic for aricept is working on my husband. He acts like nothing..." + (show)
Profile picture for renee1941 @renee1941

@muchlefI ttolearn I feel generic for aricept is working on my husband. He acts like nothing is wrong but he does have short term memory but only to me
Do you think he just wants to talk to me and that is a safe conversation (just thought of that)

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@renee1941 That may be part of it—he may feel safest and most comfortable talking with you. Also, because you spend the most time with him, you may notice his short-term memory problems more than other people do. I’m glad the generic donepezil seems to be helping him. Wishing you both well.

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marthamu | @marthamu | Aug 7 8:14am
In reply to @growbaby "Hi to all Thank you for starting group. A nice forum to read candid experiences. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for growbaby @growbaby

Hi to all
Thank you for starting group. A nice forum to read candid experiences. I am 71 years old and would like to share about 3 or 4 incidents that have happened to me that has me concern if dementia is looking at me.
First, one day asked myself how old I was. Totally unable to recall.
Another day went to buy flea med for my furry children and when it was time to pay realized I did not have my purse. Now I hook keys to purse. Has worked very well
Another day went to ost office to send a package and could not remember my address.
Last expert, could only remember zip code and last four numbers, not the first three digests after zip code . Find myself not able to think of words and later they come to me.

I am able to manage daily living without any problem
Pay bills, clean house, cook meals, keep appointments ( write chores down), run errands, etc etc.
Should I be concerned? Someone said about an MRI of the brain, would this be a good place to start?
Would app feed back
Thank you

Jump to this post

@growbaby I started with my internal medicine doctor. She referred me to a neurologist. I strongly suggest that you do this now.. It usually takes a while to get in. The neurologist will guide the testing. Medicare pays. Don’t panic but get started now.

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1 reply
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renee1941 | @renee1941 | Aug 7 10:48am
In reply to @marthamu "@growbaby I started with my internal medicine doctor. She referred me to a neurologist. I strongly..." + (show)
Profile picture for marthamu @marthamu

@growbaby I started with my internal medicine doctor. She referred me to a neurologist. I strongly suggest that you do this now.. It usually takes a while to get in. The neurologist will guide the testing. Medicare pays. Don’t panic but get started now.

Jump to this post

@marthamu we have see her a couple times She is very good I think I will go alone soon and see what to expect going forward He is doing great just a little slower in his reactions

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Profile picture for renee1941
renee1941 | @renee1941 | Aug 7 10:51am
In reply to @alju "@growbaby Hello, I am having the similar experiences and it's very disturbing. I draw a blank..." + (show)
Profile picture for alju @alju

@growbaby
Hello, I am having the similar experiences and it's very disturbing. I draw a blank sometimes when I am completing requests for info on some application or form and can't remember my phone number or zip code. Often I can't think of a name, example a favorite actor or movie, do a quick search, find the name , and 2 minutes later, can't remember what it is, total blank. I find I have to be very careful and pay attention, not let my mind wander or multi-task or I lose things or can't remember where I put down the book 2 minutes before when I stop to answer the phone. Seem to be much more easily distracted and being able to focus on one activity and wonder if I have or am developing ADD. This is extremely upsetting and I wonder how I will be able to function if or as this gets worse.

Jump to this post

@alju I sometimes I feel like I am slipping but my dr says I have too much on my mind I am clinging to that for now

REPLY
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Pattee Fletcher | @fletchette | Aug 7 2:19pm
In reply to @SusanEllen66 "@hinsopa yes, a group was recently created for those of us with MCI. The group is..." + (show)
Profile picture for SusanEllen66 Susan McMichael @SusanEllen66

@hinsopa yes, a group was recently created for those of us with MCI.

The group is :
Early Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment

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@SusanEllen66 where can I find this group?

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2 replies
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marthamu | @marthamu | Aug 8 1:33am

We all need to be aware that a simple blood test can now detect markers of alzheimer’s at a very early stage. The markers alone are not a clear diagnosis, but they are indicators.

Latest research shows that life style changes such as a healthy diet, adequate sleep, social interactions, & exercise can slow progression. Also, there are 2 new drugs that are proving to slow the progression & many other ongoing trials. Early diagnosis is the key.
Be aware that many primary physicians are unaware of these new efforts. Be your /your spouses/ other’s advocate. If you think that something is wrong push for testing.

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