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Spouse with cognitive problems and finances

Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Dec 30, 2022 | Replies (290)

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@IndianaScott

Good morning, @billchitwood

Your post made me smile! I am so pleased to read the move seems to have gone as well as can be hoped for! Such an upheaval for all, especially Bill .

On the issue of pairing of his hearing aids to his computer, I use earbuds with my laptop. I find they pair super simply, have wonderful sound, and in my case, I can use just the one in my hearing ear.

I imagine you have thought of this, but I think I bought out our local hardware store of those old-school non-slip sticky shower stickers. My wife would catch her toes on a mat, so I went with those. I picked a bunch of patterns and then used two brightly colored flowers to indicate the best place for her feet. Later on, she had me add two for me when I had to help her in the shower. She'd warn me not to come any closer 🙂 Not for everyone, but it helped us for the duration of her ability to shower.

We have two steps down from our house to the driveway. When I installed a wheelchair ramp she got mad, until I made a sign (still on our door) calling it "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" from the old Disney ride. You are SO right -- humor can often help!

I really understand your comment about not mentioning things. There came to be many issues I'd totally avoid and asked our kids to avoid with my wife. One was the change to daylight savings time, one was holidays, and if there was rain in the forecast. Ahhh, with my wife, at times, ignorance was certainly bliss (or at least a bit less anxiety).

Driving for us was a huge issue. It was a serious point of contention at a certain time with me and our children. Again, not for everyone, but the only way we could convenience my wife she had to give up the car keys for good was when she took an electronic drivers test. (Her's was done at Mayo in Rochester during one of her regular visits.) The results were undeniable! They showed her she would be unsafe at any speed on the roads. The loss of each different shred of independence is always so difficult, challenging, and terribly sad.

How are you adjusting to the move? Hopefully well!

Strength, Courage, & Peace

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Replies to "Good morning, @billchitwood Your post made me smile! I am so pleased to read the move..."

Daughter Robin went through the same thing with her husband Tom. Last night she suggested that she used shower washes for him - you use one instead of the shower. Tom was afraid to get in the shower and the home nurses introduced them. Worked really well. So ordered some for Bill. If he is up to it will use the walk in shower. His problem is he gets so weak trying to shower that his blood pressure drops alarming low and he almost passes out. Since he has bladder control issues as well, his not showering is not a good thing!

Will see how the new system works.