1. < Caregivers: Dementia

Are these signs of Dementia or Alzheimers disease?

Posted by luv2spin @luv2spin, Jun 9, 2022

Are these signs of Dementia or Alzheimers disease?
Can you completely lose your short-term memory, but remember things that happened 40-60 years ago with accuracy if you have beginning stages of Dementia or Alzheimers?

Secondly, if you were asked to go to the mailbox (1 block away) and pick up the mail via car, yet 20 minutes later, when contacted by phone, say you are trying to figure out how to get home from a location 10 miles away because you thought you were supposed to go to the P.O. for the mail. When asked if you know how to get home, the answer is yes. You are reminded to pick up the mail at the mailbox and you do that all within 15 minutes or so. Could this just be a miscommunication or does this appear to be related to Dementia or Alzheimers?

These are 2 instances that I have had within the past 3 days with my husband. He was diagnosed with Parkinsonism in 2019, although, it wasn't definite. He does not have Parkinson's, which he was treated for 11 years beginning in 2008, but there were no changes in 11 years. He has slight tremors, is soft talking and shuffles occasionally when walking unless you bring it to his attention. I am aware that Dementia/Alzheimers occurs in Parkinson patients, however, he has several other medical issues, one being major issues with his heart. The only artery he has open in his body is his main artery. All other arteries are closed due to disease. He was a smoker for 70+ years beginning at age 9 when he lived on a farm. Surgery on his heart is very risky, so the surgeon has refused to do it unless it is an emergency. I am trying to cover all bases, however, I have been unable to locate any info on whether these 2 instances could be tied to Dementia or his heart issue. I would appreciate hearing if anyone else has had these kind of issues and if it has been related to Dementia or Alzheimers. Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

DanL | @tunared | Jun 13, 2022

My wife's neurologist has said many times "if you have seen a 1000 cases of MCI/dementia/Alzheimer, you have only really seen ONE because each case is unique". My wife has had MCI for a few years but now she is forgetting many simple things. Her neurologist has said "MCI is related to forgetting but dementia is more about confusion" After 53 years of marriage, it's tough to see your partner slipping away. What ever his problem is, hold him tight and be thankful you still have him. Yes, guys can be stubborn and angry but if you have lived with him as long as you have, be happy you still have him and don't look too far into the future. take each day as it comes and enjoy it.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | Jun 14, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "Bill never handled our finances but he would buy whatever he wanted, knowing I would take..." + (show)
@billchitwood

Bill never handled our finances but he would buy whatever he wanted, knowing I would take care of the payment. But now he wants to buy things, like hearing aids, that he already has - over and over. I had to remove our PayPal account and change credit cards. And be very careful with Auto Pay.

Today he is going in for his MRI and is actually happy about it. I have a sneaking suspicion that he thinks it is for his back pain, which is chronic. His doctors warned him for past 50 years if he didn't exercise and only sat in his lounge chair that it would damage his body. You rest you rust as one doctor told him. He always had one pain or another that 'prevented' him from doing much. He rusted big time. He also used to do puzzles (he was great at the NY Times Sunday Crossword) every day and then gave that up.

Still insisting he can and will drive. I'm selling the car as I shouldn't be driving either as reflexes aren't as great as they should be for traffic. Our 2007 Town Car has under 54000 miles on it so we haven't been doing a lot of driving anyway!

Hope we get the results on the MRI quickly - I'm always impatient lol.

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Good morning @billchitwood I wanted to wish you good things for Bill's MRI. I'll be thinking about you both!

Impatience can be good! When you feel ready, let us know how it went.

Strength, Courage, & Peace

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1 reply
Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Jun 14, 2022
In reply to @IndianaScott "Good morning @billchitwood I wanted to wish you good things for Bill's MRI. I'll be thinking..." + (show)
@IndianaScott

Good morning @billchitwood I wanted to wish you good things for Bill's MRI. I'll be thinking about you both!

Impatience can be good! When you feel ready, let us know how it went.

Strength, Courage, & Peace

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Went well. Mayo posted the results - however not sure what they translate into layman's terms!

This morning he has severe back pain. Once again he decided he is going to live by himself as Robin and I go places during the day (upset we took 2 hours yesterday for a Pilates class).

Of course he had problems getting dressed and into his chair - already goofed up his computer and it is only 6am. Enjoying coffee he couldn't do himself.

Also rambling a lot so far.

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1 reply
Mentor
Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | Jun 14, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "Went well. Mayo posted the results - however not sure what they translate into layman's terms!..." + (show)
@billchitwood

Went well. Mayo posted the results - however not sure what they translate into layman's terms!

This morning he has severe back pain. Once again he decided he is going to live by himself as Robin and I go places during the day (upset we took 2 hours yesterday for a Pilates class).

Of course he had problems getting dressed and into his chair - already goofed up his computer and it is only 6am. Enjoying coffee he couldn't do himself.

Also rambling a lot so far.

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Hi, @billchitwood Good to know the MRI took place and is over! In my wife's case, we found the most value of the MRIs came when her follow-up MRIs were done and they were compared.

I hope your coffee is good! I'll toast you with mine.

Strength, Courage, & Peace

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1 reply
Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Jun 14, 2022
In reply to @IndianaScott "Hi, @billchitwood Good to know the MRI took place and is over! In my wife's case,..." + (show)
@IndianaScott

Hi, @billchitwood Good to know the MRI took place and is over! In my wife's case, we found the most value of the MRIs came when her follow-up MRIs were done and they were compared.

I hope your coffee is good! I'll toast you with mine.

Strength, Courage, & Peace

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I'll be glad when he sees the doctor on the 20th. Hopefully I'll understand more of what the MRI is showing. Reading it one way everything seems normal - look at it a little differently and possible dementia and white matter problem.

I'm getting the silent treatment now because I didn't agree to move into an apartment with him. And, since he claimed he could do everything himself he had to get his own water. Which he can do but likes being waited on (promptly). I have the feeling he doesn't like it that I have the family's support (both sides of our extended family).

And he is back to demanding the car keys. You would not want to share the road with him!

Not only is each day up and down but it seems like most hours are up and down.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | Jun 15, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "I'll be glad when he sees the doctor on the 20th. Hopefully I'll understand more of..." + (show)
@billchitwood

I'll be glad when he sees the doctor on the 20th. Hopefully I'll understand more of what the MRI is showing. Reading it one way everything seems normal - look at it a little differently and possible dementia and white matter problem.

I'm getting the silent treatment now because I didn't agree to move into an apartment with him. And, since he claimed he could do everything himself he had to get his own water. Which he can do but likes being waited on (promptly). I have the feeling he doesn't like it that I have the family's support (both sides of our extended family).

And he is back to demanding the car keys. You would not want to share the road with him!

Not only is each day up and down but it seems like most hours are up and down.

Jump to this post

Good morning, @billchitwood

Good to read you have unified family support in your caregiving! That can certainly make a tough journey a bit easier!

Driving was one of the tougher issues for my wife to give up for sure. We finally resorted to having her take an electronic driving test and her favorite doctor gave her the decision that she was unsafe at any speed.

My wife's mood swings often reminded me of riding a roller coaster. While the huge hills and drops were tough, it was always that series of small hills at the end that challenged me far more! Up-down-up-down-up-down-hit-the-brakes!

Wishing you a good day, today with Strength, Courage, & Peace

REPLY
1 reply
Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Jun 15, 2022
In reply to @IndianaScott "Good morning, @billchitwood Good to read you have unified family support in your caregiving! That can..." + (show)
@IndianaScott

Good morning, @billchitwood

Good to read you have unified family support in your caregiving! That can certainly make a tough journey a bit easier!

Driving was one of the tougher issues for my wife to give up for sure. We finally resorted to having her take an electronic driving test and her favorite doctor gave her the decision that she was unsafe at any speed.

My wife's mood swings often reminded me of riding a roller coaster. While the huge hills and drops were tough, it was always that series of small hills at the end that challenged me far more! Up-down-up-down-up-down-hit-the-brakes!

Wishing you a good day, today with Strength, Courage, & Peace

Jump to this post

Bad night as he had another fall about 2:30am - this time he got a small cut on his head, which bled a lot as head cuts can. He spilled his night jar of pee all over the floor - so floor was covered with pee and blood! Yikes. Robin and I got that cleaned up, his head cleaned and bandaged. Once again he insisted that he didn't want 911 as he could get up himself. He wouldn't follow instructions as how to help himself - wanted us to pull him up - which we couldn't. Ignored his protests and called 911. They easily got him up and back into bed.

Monday's visit with the neurologist seems so far away! Praying they can give help and Bill will accept it. He refused the Home Health care our family doctor set up. For decades has refused to follow his doctor's advice. The 'rest you rust' kicked in big time.

Both Robin and I got sworn at during all this. Not new unfortunately as he has always been quick to anger.

Was a little difficult to handle. Have to figure a way to help him up without hurting us - or calling 911 every time. And without breaking closet doors lol.

REPLY
1 reply
janet7 | @janet7 | Jun 15, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "Bad night as he had another fall about 2:30am - this time he got a small..." + (show)
@billchitwood

Bad night as he had another fall about 2:30am - this time he got a small cut on his head, which bled a lot as head cuts can. He spilled his night jar of pee all over the floor - so floor was covered with pee and blood! Yikes. Robin and I got that cleaned up, his head cleaned and bandaged. Once again he insisted that he didn't want 911 as he could get up himself. He wouldn't follow instructions as how to help himself - wanted us to pull him up - which we couldn't. Ignored his protests and called 911. They easily got him up and back into bed.

Monday's visit with the neurologist seems so far away! Praying they can give help and Bill will accept it. He refused the Home Health care our family doctor set up. For decades has refused to follow his doctor's advice. The 'rest you rust' kicked in big time.

Both Robin and I got sworn at during all this. Not new unfortunately as he has always been quick to anger.

Was a little difficult to handle. Have to figure a way to help him up without hurting us - or calling 911 every time. And without breaking closet doors lol.

Jump to this post

Well, you really have your hands full and thank the Lord you had help from
Robin.

I’m glad you called 911, and I would make it very clear to your husband
that you will call for help every time he falls. He’s been fortunate up
until now, but one day he will have to be taken to the ER (911) because of
serious injuries.

Would he accept using a chair near his bed for his nightly duties? Or put
it in the bathroom, the closer, the better, and eventually move it into the
bedroom?

Prayers for you all.

REPLY
Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Jun 15, 2022

A chair might help - if there is room. A small bedroom.

Question I will ask Monday with the doctor.

Good idea.

REPLY
Teri | @tsc | Jun 15, 2022
In reply to @tunared "My wife's neurologist has said many times "if you have seen a 1000 cases of MCI/dementia/Alzheimer,..." + (show)
@tunared

My wife's neurologist has said many times "if you have seen a 1000 cases of MCI/dementia/Alzheimer, you have only really seen ONE because each case is unique". My wife has had MCI for a few years but now she is forgetting many simple things. Her neurologist has said "MCI is related to forgetting but dementia is more about confusion" After 53 years of marriage, it's tough to see your partner slipping away. What ever his problem is, hold him tight and be thankful you still have him. Yes, guys can be stubborn and angry but if you have lived with him as long as you have, be happy you still have him and don't look too far into the future. take each day as it comes and enjoy it.

Jump to this post

Thank you, @tunared. You are so right. It's my husband's confusion I find the most sad, but still, he functions well and has a good disposition.

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