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Spouse with cognitive problems and finances

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

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@billchitwood

He is at a place where he remembers a lot of things really well - others not so much. He has a terrible time with remotes - computers - phone (I removed his phone as he couldn't work it).
Looking back I think he started showing signs in about 2012. But they were basically wrapped around his lifetime issues so easy it ignore by everyone. He always got mad/upset about the weirdest things (didn't want anyone using the waste baskets in the bathrooms - cause for anger if they did and didn't empty them). Once he got mad at a friend of ours who was visiting for a few days, had a problem with his diabetes and drank some orange juice in the middle of the night! What really started clueing me in was he started getting lost. In TN every time we went to the grocery store he would start out of the parking lot in the wrong direction and I would have to correct him. Me, I always got lost easily but Bill had a wonderful sense of direction. The next clue was he started finding problems with the 'taste' of food - again getting angry with me when I didn't agree. Before, as long as we were alone, he was a loving husband. Suddenly I couldn't do anything right. He didn't get physical but his language was out of control. By 2014 we moved to KY and a new doctor. She prescribed a medication for his anger - which helped a lot! Plus we were pretty isolated. He started eating a lot of sweets, which he had never done before. Started not liking meat, especially beef. Wanted me to cut up everything into miniature pieces for him or wouldn't eat. But when he would go the the doctors (and still does) he would joke around, be super nice, act like no physical problems (which he showed at home a lot). Jekyll and Hyde.
Doctors are trying to sort out his anger issues from his 'normal' to what might be related to dementia. At this point I'm not sure where we stand although both doctors agree he has dementia (one has him at mild and the other at serious from what I understand). First one he was 'on his game'; second one, no so much.
So I'm never sure if he is just being 'Bill' or if the dementia is causing the problem. Seems to change from day to day on his anger/pleasant moods.
Yesterday he wanted me to check out furnished apartments. Told him I would and then he didn't mention it again (although he has been googling).
He is also, suddenly, fixated on our finances. Started to get mad yesterday morning when he asked if daughter had paid for his TV and chair and I said that we had paid for it. He thought she should have! She is an underpaid middle school math teacher (AZ is a the bottom of the scale for teacher's salaries). She gave up her office so he could have his man cave. Again, impossible to tell if old 'Bill' or dementia Bill. His anger seems magnified but has always been there. Or maybe I'm just more aware of the injustice of it.
Think he is starting to wake up - not sure which Bill shall appear but since he has me by himself as Robin had to go north for the weekend I'm guessing he will be happy. He doesn't want me to have any 'support' as we obviously 'plot' against him (like buying the TV and lift recliner for him)! Sorry for my venting. But thank all of you for your support and shoulders to cry on.

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Replies to "He is at a place where he remembers a lot of things really well - others..."

Will is also obsessed with sweets of all kinds, more so now than ever before. He can go a whole day just eating sweets.
His Dementia started after his heart surgery back in 2014. After surgery, he had 2 mini-strokes and it took him 4 days to come out of the anesthesia. I was afraid he never would. He was in rehab and of course he wanted to come home but was having some other issues. He started getting upset with me because he thought I didn’t want him to come home.
Years later, we went on vacation with another couple and that was a disaster! We all got to our cabin, and the next morning, he got me up early to show me the other man’s car had been moved overnight, and what would he be up to! He and that man never did get along and we had to leave early because Will was so suspicious of the other man.
Now we knew this couple several years before we went on vacation together because we played cards with them, the other man usually won. I thought we always had fun when we were with them. I remained friends with the couple and they belonged to my church.
None of us have ever talked about what happened on that vacation. Will has always been kind of a loner.