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What strategies help you cope with behavioral changes in loved one?
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Aug 25, 2022 | Replies (34)Comment receiving replies
Yes, it is terriffying, especially in the beginning of this journey into the unknown. Does living in the moment mean don't plan for the future?
We're pretty much on our own here, and at this stage, I don't know how my husbands's disease will progress. Will I be able to care for him at home or will he need long term care in a residential facility? A couple of months ago, I was seriously considering moving to a senior housing type of place with easier access to healthcare for serious conditions, which I worry we'll develop in the future. I read some comments here by women who said their husbands got much worse when they moved. My husband loves our home and feels comfortable in the neighborhood, so maybe moving isn't such a great idea. What I can do now is get rid of stuff we've accumulated over the years so any future move, if necessary, will be easier. But I panic sometimes at night, overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering!
Replies to "Yes, it is terriffying, especially in the beginning of this journey into the unknown. Does living..."
Bill always loved to move so we did - a lot! And my job was to always handle everything.
Your idea of decluttering is a great one. On moves I always started early on the sorting, decluttering, etc. I would set up a throw away box; a charity box; a pet toy box for Humane society; a box for things that needed shredding, a box for keepsakes kids might want, etc.
Then I would take one drawer at a time, usually while listening to music or watching TV, and sort through it. I took my time. Then, when it actually became crunch time for moving I just needed to pack things, which would go pretty quickly. Anything I knew I wouldn't need before hand I would pack and store.
Whatever you can do to relieve your stress is a good thing. You actually do best for everyone by basically putting yourself first. Best wishes.
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Hi, absolutely I want to plan for the future. What I don't want to do is live my life today as if the future is here. I, too, have fear of what will happen. How long will we be able to live in our home? Right now I am still working. How long will I be able to work. She is in the very early stages and is still independent most of the time. I have thought about moving or at least looking into care facilities that provide step-down services. It is totally overwhelming that's why I can't get too far into the future.