Spouse with cognitive problems and finances

So agree. We just put our house on the market and will be living with our daughter. Yesterday Bill looked like he was going to collapse yet as soon as the realtor arrived he perked right up and was better walking, etc. I'm looking at him, thinking, 'is this the same Bill as a half hour ago?' - as soon as she left he was back in his exhausted state again. Sometimes I think I'm doing to much for him - but then he couldn't figure out how to use the phone - so backwards again. He was managing to finally connect - only problem it wasn't our son, it was an emergency number! No idea how he managed that. Just the day before our 16 month great grandson managed to dial 911 on his Mom's phone - she went looking for a way to child proof her phone. I think I need to child proof Bill's phone lol.

Hi Coleen, having sign-in troubles after I just found the Mayo app and you.

I am asking my husband if he would be interested in an experimental study
for Alzheimer’s/Dementia. We just went to his doctor and she said there
were no more meds available for Dementia but I read meds for Alzheimer’s
does help with Dementia. It’s worth a try!
Have you heard of this before?

Janet

Hi Janet, it looks like you were able to sign-in. Phew. If you ever have technical issues, go to the bottom of any webpage on the Mayo Clinic Connect website (the footer) and click Contact Mayo Clinic Connect. That sends an email to me and you don't need to be signed in to get technical help.

Dementia and all the various types can be confusing. Dementia is the umbrella or general term for decline in cognitive abilities. There are many types of dementia. Alzheimer's is one type of dementia. It is a specific disease.

While medications can't reverse Alzheimer's, there are some medication that can temporarily help manage some symptoms. See more information here:
- Alzheimer's: Drugs help manage symptoms https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20048103

News stories with attention-grabbing headlines sometimes announce exciting new treatments, studies or even cures for Alzheimer's. Usually these treatments are still in the experimental stage. This article helps untangle some of the claims made in Alzhiemer or demential "breakthroughs" reported in the news.

- How to Evaluate the Latest Dementia Treatment "Breakthrough" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/living-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci/newsfeed-post/repost-how-to-evaluate-the-latest-dementia-treatment-breakthrough/

Janet, do you have more information about the experimental study to which you refer?

Hi, @billchitwood Your post reminded me again of something with my wife. When it was a very special occasion, she could muster the energy to make it that day. However, the anxiety leading up to it and the exhaustion for the three days following were incredibly tough on her. Our favorite holiday was Thanksgiving and at first, she could make it the day, then half, then an hour, but always surprised me with her ability to make some hidden energy to do it. Not so for Christmas or other days.

With her phone, I did program speed dial for the few numbers she used most, like our kids, my cell, and her best friend. It helped stop the misdials and she could remember I was 1, daughter was 2, etc.

Strength, Courage, & Peace

He has given up on all family functions. Sad as he is missing so much. Doesn't want family/friends over.
I have a few contacts set up for him but he doesn't remember how to make a phone call most of the time.
Just back from getting his hearing aids and remote fixed - he had goofed up the battery so goofed up the pairing. But first an emergency trip to the Vet's for our kitty as she showed up this morning with blood in her urine. Now he is singing. He used to have a wonderful voice but now it is worse than mine and I have the worse singing voice ever!

(I hope it's a) Good morning, @billchitwood

My wife's world collapsed down to a tiny circle as well. Outside stimulations were overwhelming to her mind, having anyone over caused her anxiety that their mere presence might interfere with her daily routine, plus there was a part of her that just didn't want to be judged by others. Most importantly, I think (just me) daily living demanded so much of her energy it was all she could truly manage and was truly exhausted her each day.

For the entire 14 years of my wife's war we never turned on a TV, radio, music, etc. and she hated when the telephone rang. I guess our patients try and control what they can in their shrinking world.

I bet we could have a great 'bad voice' singing contest! Thanks for the laugh!

Strength, Courage, & Peace

Long night as he was very restless. At one point I noticed him putting his pillow on the floor and asked what was wrong. He was trying to get down onto the floor to sleep with Lady Gray, our kitty with UTI - which she wasn't having any of. If he had gotten down he wouldn't have been able to get back up. Lots of talking in his sleep.

My husband has adopted the habit of waking up after a few hours of
sleeping, playing Solitaire in his recliner for a few hours, and then back
to bed. I wonder if this habit has changed him. It seems the last few weeks
he has changed from the energetic enthusiastic man I know into an old man
who walks slow, talks slow, and is just tired of it all. He even talked
about giving some items away to other family members. But he does keep
buying expensive items. I know I will have to make changes so he cannot
continue to put us into debt.

I am sorry but I can’t see all you wrote. I am having a problem signing in.

@janet7

I know what you are facing. Bill hasn't been driving (thank heavens!) for over two years - doesn't leave the house - but is now insisting we need to buy a new expensive car (ours sits in the garage a lot lol). He also has a thing for wanting to buy everything advertised on the TV and responds to spam emails. Gets irate when I stop him. I have to be constantly on the alert. Nerve racking. Once he buys something then he wants me to get him out of it.