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Heart issues and breathing problems and dealing with dementia
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Sep 28 11:49am | Replies (41)Comment receiving replies
Hi @janet7
You wrote in another caregiver discussion:
"Hi Colleen,
We have been in similar situations with Will’s shallow breathing and being very weak and tired. He just had a pacemaker because of Afib and is on a blood thinner to help avoid strokes/heart attacks. He is recovering from the surgery so still tired and weak. Will has heart failure and his lungs keep filling up with fluid and hopefully the pacemaker will help. He also has Dementia and I would like to get him tested for Alzheimer’s, just to rule it out. I am also a caretaker like you. I would like to know if Medicaid can help out financially with caretakers."
I'm responding to you here.
Janet, it can be so challenging to provide care for a loved one's medical issues when they also have dementia. I'm tagging a few very resourceful members like @tsc @billchitwood @joancampy @debbraw @fwentz who may have some tips for you regarding financial support for caregivers through Medicaid and other questions you may have.
Janet, do you have a social worker for you and your husband to help navigate medical needs, finances and such?
Replies to "Hi @janet7 You wrote in another caregiver discussion: "Hi Colleen, We have been in similar situations..."
Hi @janet7 - I wish I knew the answer to your question about whether Medicaid could help. This is on my list of things to check out. A couple of years ago, I saw an attorney and she recommended that when we got to the point that I needed placement for my husband in a facility, I should let her know and she would recommend some attorneys who helped with getting Medicaid. We are close, but not there yet. Good luck. And please, if you learn more about this will you share?
Hi @janet7, my husband was diagnosed withe Alzheimer's Disease about three years ago by a neurologist and neuropsychologist. He had an MRI and a full day of neuropsychological testing which was exhausting for him. He had those tests because I noticed he was using words differently and withdrawing from social activities. Other than for Alzheimer's, his health is good (he broke his hip about three months ago, but is recovering nicely). You mentioned that your husband has dementia. I'm wondering why knowing if he has Alzheimer's would be helpful. Would there be more opportunities for drugs that could help him? Wishing you the best, Teri
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Unfortunately I don't have any suggestions. Bill's doctor did sign him up for home health, which might have helped, but Bill kept doing 'showtime' so they determined he didn't need help. He might not have but as a care giver I sure could have used it.
Last week he took a bad fall in the bathroom. Took almost an hour to get him back on his feet. A few scrapes and bruising but fortunately nothing broken. He didn't want me to call 911. If he had still had the Medicare Home Health I could have called them and they would have immediately sent someone to get him on his feet.
He doesn't want anyone helping him - except me. He is 89, 6 feet and 200 pounds. I'm 81, 5'3" and 104. Kids had us move in with my daughter on Monday (sold our home). Taking a lot of adjusting on all parts, including our kitty and her 3 kitties! One minute he is fine with everything, the next he is ready to go live on his own (forgetting at this point he can do very little for himself). Talk about stress! Only thing that is helping is a sense of humor. And that does get strained.
Wishing you help - it can be so hard. I think harder on the caregiver than the one receiving care.