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.

@annielouise

Hi, I'll be 82 in a few weeks. My problem is ongoing cognitive difficulties associated with long Covid, for 9 months now. At its worst, I mix up dates and times for appointments, mis-read instructions, make the same purchases 2 and 3 times, or run out of pantry items because I've looked at, say, tuna and it registered as salmon. I've forgotten food in the oven and clothes in the washer for days. I'm not safe to drive a car. In my bad spells, it happens up to 20 times a day; on good days, its only 4-5 a day. It's worse when I'm fatigued and better when I take hourly "brain breaks". While I this isn't dementia, and I seem to be improving very slowly in general, it's going to go on for a long time and there's no guarantee it will ever be gone completely. I would greatly benefit from learning coping skills from others.

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I’m afraid that I am having some dementia issues and I’m a nervous wreck about it. My daughter (who I live with) doesn’t think I have dementia but I feel like I have signs of it. I’m off and on forgetful regarding names of people I used to remember easily and I also forget occasionally to get my laundry out of the dryer. These issues are periodic but scare me to bits. I’m not even sure what brand of doctor to see about this problem.

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@kfxston

I’m afraid that I am having some dementia issues and I’m a nervous wreck about it. My daughter (who I live with) doesn’t think I have dementia but I feel like I have signs of it. I’m off and on forgetful regarding names of people I used to remember easily and I also forget occasionally to get my laundry out of the dryer. These issues are periodic but scare me to bits. I’m not even sure what brand of doctor to see about this problem.

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@ kfxston
If you feel like you want to be tested, call a neurologist. They can give you a few things to test your ability that will help make a decision.
Mild Cognitive Impairment is not necessarily the first step toward dementia.
Get tested so you know where you are at.

Blessings

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@SusanEllen66

@ kfxston
If you feel like you want to be tested, call a neurologist. They can give you a few things to test your ability that will help make a decision.
Mild Cognitive Impairment is not necessarily the first step toward dementia.
Get tested so you know where you are at.

Blessings

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Thanks for your reply - it was certainly helpful and I will definitely find a neurologist to help me out.

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@annielouise

Hi, I'll be 82 in a few weeks. My problem is ongoing cognitive difficulties associated with long Covid, for 9 months now. At its worst, I mix up dates and times for appointments, mis-read instructions, make the same purchases 2 and 3 times, or run out of pantry items because I've looked at, say, tuna and it registered as salmon. I've forgotten food in the oven and clothes in the washer for days. I'm not safe to drive a car. In my bad spells, it happens up to 20 times a day; on good days, its only 4-5 a day. It's worse when I'm fatigued and better when I take hourly "brain breaks". While I this isn't dementia, and I seem to be improving very slowly in general, it's going to go on for a long time and there's no guarantee it will ever be gone completely. I would greatly benefit from learning coping skills from others.

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I have an autoimmune disease and long covid sounds so much like it! Try these things:
1. Hydration: make sure you get 32 oz of liquid daily and that your pee is light yellow.
2. Eat right. Move toward non-processed, low sugar, high nutrition.
3. Take a daily 20 minute walk aiming for one mile. Or break it into two or three walks. Outside air and sunshine plus movement helps. Do this even with lethargy.
4. Observe regular sleeptimes and if you nap, do it before 3pm.
5. Sublingual B-12, D3 and Magnesium and helpful for pain, cramps and focus. You might ask your dr for an anti-depressant which will help with focus also.
6. Each day, do something purposeful even if it is a household chore. Talk to a friend about anything else. Do something you enjoy.

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@marye2

I have an autoimmune disease and long covid sounds so much like it! Try these things:
1. Hydration: make sure you get 32 oz of liquid daily and that your pee is light yellow.
2. Eat right. Move toward non-processed, low sugar, high nutrition.
3. Take a daily 20 minute walk aiming for one mile. Or break it into two or three walks. Outside air and sunshine plus movement helps. Do this even with lethargy.
4. Observe regular sleeptimes and if you nap, do it before 3pm.
5. Sublingual B-12, D3 and Magnesium and helpful for pain, cramps and focus. You might ask your dr for an anti-depressant which will help with focus also.
6. Each day, do something purposeful even if it is a household chore. Talk to a friend about anything else. Do something you enjoy.

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Thank you for this...it re-affirms in black & white what I am trying to do in a really simple way...sometimes I fee like a small voice in the wind...so it is encouraging on those bad days...I wouldn't want to increase my anti-depressant as it can be addictive and is counter-indicated for people over 70yrs and I am 84....I suppose that if I were financially secure it would be less of an angst. Anyways back to the drawing board.

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I am almost 72 and am forgetting where I put some things that I use on a daily basis, especially in the kitchen. Peoples names are also a problem (but not family or my close friend). I repeat things to my husband and best friend too. I also suffer from depression and anxiety.
Really need support…..
Sixer2175

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Sometimes when you do something a lot, every time you do it is kind of the same. So it's easy to forget. I live in the city and park my car everyday when I come home in a different spot. So next morning I'm not sure where it is because each days blends into the next. Therefore, I can see why you forget where you puts things in the kitchen. Next time you want to tell a story just start by saying, "Did I tell you this"? it's hard for me too to remember people's names esp. if I don't see them on a regular basis. My husband said maybe I should write them down, think I will. As for the depression and anxiety, my husband has that and gets great relief from taking long walks...good luck ! PS I'm also 72

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@SusanEllen66

@jules thanks for the suggestion.
I’m having a party here next month for my sister. In addition to getting things ready for her visit, I’m very slowly strengthening up. I’m actually going through some of my jewelry for my granddaughters. I feel it’s time to start sharing, and getting rid of my stuff. It will help my son when he has to close up my house someday.

My sister will be here for almost 3 weeks. I’m going to put her to work going through old stuff we inherited from our parents.
She has an attitude of “throw it away”. Sometimes it’s not a great thing. She threw away a gold coin my dad had that is worth $2600!

Oh well. Again, thanks. I will keep this in mind.

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Keep that sister under control fancy throwing away a gold coin. A party sounds good.

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@sixer

I am almost 72 and am forgetting where I put some things that I use on a daily basis, especially in the kitchen. Peoples names are also a problem (but not family or my close friend). I repeat things to my husband and best friend too. I also suffer from depression and anxiety.
Really need support…..
Sixer2175

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I think two things happen when we get older. 1. We have done the same things so many times we no longer think about what we are doing. We do things in auto so we then haven’t lodged them firmly in.
2. Every day is the same with few demarcations to tell us what day it is. This means the days whizz by without us remembering which day of the week it is. I also think a lot of what we fear could be dementia is actually overload and overwhelm. We live anxious unsupported lives and wonder why we can’t function properly. I have retrained traumatised horses and dogs and even a few cats. The first thing I do is give them the life that their species requires then I quietly support them without any expectations. I give their brains a holiday. No demands no critiques no jobs no nothing except routine and support. They soon become brighter and responsive snd happy. Only then can the mammal brain take things in.
Give your brain a holiday. Xx

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@casey1329

Sometimes when you do something a lot, every time you do it is kind of the same. So it's easy to forget. I live in the city and park my car everyday when I come home in a different spot. So next morning I'm not sure where it is because each days blends into the next. Therefore, I can see why you forget where you puts things in the kitchen. Next time you want to tell a story just start by saying, "Did I tell you this"? it's hard for me too to remember people's names esp. if I don't see them on a regular basis. My husband said maybe I should write them down, think I will. As for the depression and anxiety, my husband has that and gets great relief from taking long walks...good luck ! PS I'm also 72

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@casey1329
One thought, people take a picture of the location of their car after parking. Then you can see it the next time you need to use the car.

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