Support Group for Those of Us Living With Mild Dementia

Posted by SusanEllen66 @SusanEllen66, Sep 18, 2023

I know there is a Dementia Caregiver Support Group.

I would like to have a group for people like me. I am entering the Mild Dementia phase from Mild Cognitive Impairment.
It’s frightening to think about my future.

Could a group for Dementia Patients be started?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

My mild NCD was diagnosed via neuro-psychological testing in August. Multiple factors. I would really like to see a patient, vice caregiver, support group. Seems, according to DSM-V, I can function and don't necessarily need that, at least now. I want to handle this as long as I can myself. This group might focus solely on mild, where we can help each other. Those with major or delirium NCD are already in the caregiver groups.

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@walton

Hi, Colleen
I make copious notes for all I need to remember- appointments, etc. I also meditate which calms and clears my mind. How about you?
Oh, just noticed you are the moderator, not someone dealing with memory.
Anyway, best wishes

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@walton I decided to drop in for I'm having some memory problems ,not bad.I found a holistic med I take it seems to be helping .Brain booster it's called altho I still write appts on my calendar.

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I totally relate to not caring all that hat much about it he house now, formerly quite neat. Thanks! You normalized that for me. I am also terrifically tired, even though I sleep pretty well and nap. Nothing seems to be wrong. Anyone else d along with a hat?

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@johnnoregon

My mild NCD was diagnosed via neuro-psychological testing in August. Multiple factors. I would really like to see a patient, vice caregiver, support group. Seems, according to DSM-V, I can function and don't necessarily need that, at least now. I want to handle this as long as I can myself. This group might focus solely on mild, where we can help each other. Those with major or delirium NCD are already in the caregiver groups.

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Welcome to the group, John.
For others mild NCD stands for Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (also known as Mild Cognitive Impairment, or MCI).

John, how much do you share with friends and those close to you about the cognitive challenges you have? What responses or approaches from others do you find helpful? What would you like them to understand better?

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@bigphyl

I totally relate to not caring all that hat much about it he house now, formerly quite neat. Thanks! You normalized that for me. I am also terrifically tired, even though I sleep pretty well and nap. Nothing seems to be wrong. Anyone else d along with a hat?

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@bigphyl absolutely!
I’m in a quandary right now. I’m not really wanting to do anything but I have a family gathering planned next month and I am anxious for the house to look nice.
However, I’m stuck mentally and physically too.
This is causing me a lot of stress!

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@jackchap

Early signs:

--Big time frustration with tech...new computer printer and either the instructions are designed for a prescient alien or I'm just not following...in four languages, and a You Tube video. Other stuff like that as well;

--Forgetting fun facts to know and tell...like my ladyfriend's address;

--Over reliance on the GPS to go places I've been a dozen times before;

--Names;

--And, spelling...although I never was a good speller. Nice trait for a guy who made his living writing.

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Repeating myself, forgetting what I was going to do or say in mid-thought.

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@m3knoll

Repeating myself, forgetting what I was going to do or say in mid-thought.

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@m3knoll hi, have you been through testing?

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@colleenyoung

Welcome to the group, John.
For others mild NCD stands for Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (also known as Mild Cognitive Impairment, or MCI).

John, how much do you share with friends and those close to you about the cognitive challenges you have? What responses or approaches from others do you find helpful? What would you like them to understand better?

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Thanks, Colleen. I'm open-book about this with friends and family. This is an illness and I'm not embarrassed about it. This will sound strange, but I embrace it as a new journey in my life. I had a stroke in 2020 and treat that the same way. When I talk to someone about my NCD, I ask for a few minutes to give a short explanation: "Here's the dx, it's ok, I'm doing fine, no need for daily help. It's not major, it's not ALZ, just a few quirks you may see from me on occasion. If you need me for something, please text so I have a record to make sure I follow through." My immediate issues are hard-to-access memory, both short and long. Yesterday's stuff is fading as I write this. The PsyD diagnosed me told me to advise people that I needed things written down when I was asked for something. As a 67M, I'm retired and active (I have a small farm in Oregon) For me right now, a text on my phone is working. I personally feel more comfortable laying out what I'm facing so I can better manage expectations. Support has been outstanding. Is this kinda what you're asking?

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@johnnoregon

Thanks, Colleen. I'm open-book about this with friends and family. This is an illness and I'm not embarrassed about it. This will sound strange, but I embrace it as a new journey in my life. I had a stroke in 2020 and treat that the same way. When I talk to someone about my NCD, I ask for a few minutes to give a short explanation: "Here's the dx, it's ok, I'm doing fine, no need for daily help. It's not major, it's not ALZ, just a few quirks you may see from me on occasion. If you need me for something, please text so I have a record to make sure I follow through." My immediate issues are hard-to-access memory, both short and long. Yesterday's stuff is fading as I write this. The PsyD diagnosed me told me to advise people that I needed things written down when I was asked for something. As a 67M, I'm retired and active (I have a small farm in Oregon) For me right now, a text on my phone is working. I personally feel more comfortable laying out what I'm facing so I can better manage expectations. Support has been outstanding. Is this kinda what you're asking?

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Great advice—I simply cannot remember. Ex: I thought I’d have instructions on patient portal, but resident posted a few days later. I could have taken pain killer after procedure. For now on, I will ask for handwritten instructions or time to write & have md check. Many thanks, and good luck

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Hi all. I am 84yrs and am thinking I may be experiencing mild IM to a degree so I have been dealing with it by joking and telling/warning people not to expect me to remember more than 3 things...I am dyslexic so am not sure if this is part of it? I use this fact to hide behind when I make a faut pas etc. I also make lists, write on calendars....and print out important emails to file. It is much worse if I am force to do something quickly or unexpectedly in an angry or tense manner. Being slightly deaf does not help. I try to do things slowly and chk things twice...because of doing certain things sometimes in the wrong order can make me forget something(not always crucial tho')I hesitate to get an actual diagnosis of "Mild Cognitive Anything" as that could result in me not being taken seriously as an artist and writer....As for house work I let it go for the most part and My son takes up the slack...I need my time and energy for working in the studio(which is now in my living room. As for entertainment of family & friends I do that outside on the picnic table or we go to a fav restaurent. As my husband(deceased since 15 yrs--& a psychiatrist) use to say "You don't have to worry until you start putting your underwear in the fridge!!" Hope this helps someone....laughing is good. Sorry for going on and on. . PS Here is a pic from one of my shows & other works

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