Dealing with a Spouse with a “Mild Cognitive Impairment”

@judimahoney
No. He was not under or taking anything but Tylenol. The tests he took scored 54 out of 94. They said memory and attentive skills were the issue.
But socially he is just fine. Most would never know he has problems. Only those close to him see it.

@franee You know when your husband isn't operating on full capacity. Your question on how do you know if he has MCI? Seek out your primary care and/or make an appointment with a neurologist. I saw the rehab team did some memory tests on your husband.....my husband did okay in some areas but couldn't remember the words they gave him. He could, however, draw the clock. However, we went off to the neurologist after the primary care, and the rest is history. He's on his 25th lequembe infusion for MCI. And it's obvious to me, what he's dealing with isn't age related memory loss. It's MCI, in it's early stages. He was constantly losing things, couldn't remember words, would have difficulty sequencing thoughts in his mind. It became very obvious something was wrong, why we ended up at the neurologists for full testing.
Best, Karla

@vgen My husband was a very successful tax attorney and now I have to explain the tax implications of our move to him. I am so sad for both of us.

This was me 3 weeks ago --- show them this site and have them read what other wives are going through --- then run for a therapist. Once the "light" goes on with acknowledgement then you can work together to solve the frustrating issues going on in everyday life. A notebook for my husband has been so helpful. Things I think he will forget and not admit to forgetting I date and write down --- he goes back and reads these or rather checks in. I also got him a huge markerboard calendar to SEE what is coming up and what has happened this month rather than trying to remember and then arguing over if it happened or not. Just some thoughts --- I am in the being phases of this!!! @kordahl (Stay Strong)

His PCP can refer him to an academic medical facility department of Alzheimer’s and Aging for a neuro evaluation. We live in Oregon and my husband was evaluated and diagnosed with MCI at OHSU in Portland. He has been in a Detect study there for several years as well. They are very helpful and do excellent monitoring.

My husband has the response that he’s good it’s me that has the problem. He has problems with online banking because they keep changing things. It’s NOT him. Now i just say ah ha and show him how to do it. Yes, it takes a toll on both of us.

@vgen The body is the same but the person we married is slipping away, little by little. We eventually become strangers to them, too.

When we socialize I have to do all the talking. It makes me want to just stay home

@vgen What your husband has, aside from memory loss, is called deflection. It's amazes me they can't remember but still know how to get defensive and deflect! It's not me, it's you. I get that too! But we know........
Best, Karla

@kjc48
Deflection is very difficult to listen to and difficult to forgive --- it gets old. I often wonder if my husband had to defend himself in his family growing up and this behavior just continued through his adult life.?? Sometimes I look at him and say...What's another way we could approach this? We don't have to argue over this or see who is right or wrong .
Or walk away if your peace is being attacked! It's a clear message that he doesn't have the right to take your peace away. Boy, I'm on a roll this morning! Too much coffee!!! @ kordahl