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Alzheimer's with Hallucinations
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: May 11, 2023 | Replies (29)Comment receiving replies
My husband just learned he has to take driving assessment course from a private company called courage kenny. He had refused before as he was not paying for it. He “knew” how to drive. Now the clinic dr will not sign off on it. He was very angry. Said it was family’s fault, meaning me as we said we had some concerns on his driving.
On monday I went to tale my walk. He asked how I liked my ride home when I got in the door? I told him I was walking Steve. He said I didnt see u come back. So I know you werent walking??? Who did u have pick u up?? A boyfriend???How do I deal with that story? Hallucination? Fabrication? I dont know. Tuesday I said I was going to go get my mile walk-in. But didnt say on treadmill as it was raining. He said how did you walk in the rain? I told him I was downstairs walking. That time he didnt get mad. He just said ok. I just never know anymore.
But today is a new day.
Replies to "My husband just learned he has to take driving assessment course from a private company called..."
My husband has vascular dementia and is a (now) sober alcoholic. During his drinking years, he regularly (and loudly) accused me of having affairs. This has continued with the dementia, only with much more graphic accusations (think the f word in all its grammatical forms). I learned long ago reason doesn't work, nor proof, nor tears of hurt or desperate reassurance. I learned to just say, "Why would I be interested in anyone else when I have you?" and just keep doing whatever I was doing or find something to do.
Its hard to understand the journeys the Lord sets us on.
I asked Tara's permission to use this beautiful poem and she agreed! It gave me some consolation in my wife's 10 year battle with Alzheimer's disease. I hope it can be of some help for you too.
https://pivottohappy.com/alz-poem/
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Hi,@bobbisedlmayr My wife had to take an electronic version of a driving test. She wouldn't believe family that her driving had deteriorated, but the test proved it, and when her doctor said 'no more driving' she accepted it. It was a huge relief!
While I know every patient is unique as they journey with dementia, with my wife I realized it did no good to rationalize or try and be logical and correct her minor misconceptions. I did not spend time trying to get her to understand where she was wrong, only to get her to move on to another topic or in many cases I'd simply agree with her and add a question on the end to get her thinking about something else.
As my wife's neuro doc always used to remind me -- a broken brain is often impossible to understand.
Strength, Courage, & Peace