Dealing with a Spouse with a “Mild Cognitive Impairment”

The Neurologist accepts " I want to think about it" which annoys me because it delays testing and treatment. He finally started on Aricept and with Speech Therapist for Cognitive/Organizatioh/Memory help after PET Scan and PsychNeurogical Assessment. If it is noninvasive and effective I say give it a try.

I have been caring for my husband since 1993, it is in the last 3 yrs that he has gotten worse. I am tired all the time and it is only the two of us. No family or friends to help. Worse he only has Medicare Part A so can not afford to put him in a care home or I will lose the house as can not live on my own SS. They said he could get back Part B when he stopped it but did not tell us it would cost over $750.00 for the rest of his life.

Contact the Council on Aging to get advice and, perhaps, some help in managing his care and finances. I took the Essential Caregiving Class and am going to the Medicaid class for help in figuring out my finances for future Medicaid care for my LO. Set up properly, the spouse does not lose the house. I am surprised that the Part B premium is not coming out of his Social Security, but imagine he may have signed up late: ask Council on Aging for advice. I have also found Denise Early, a blogger, to be helpful in explaining things. It does sound like better help or an advocate is needed to sort out your finances--it is also about your safety as you age. We also recently got a HECM reverse mortgage to help with income should I be left on my own low SS.

Hello! I have been diagnosed myself with Mild Cognitive Impairment. So, it's my husband that has to keep me straight! I forget where I put things, what we have to do today, and what we had for dinner last night. I am grateful that I am able to function at an almost normal level. My husband had quadruple bypass surgery in January and we are dealing with his recovery. So, both of us have issues! But, we help each other and that's just the way it is. Even with my MCI, I am able to work at my part time job. It is the best thing I do for myself -- and my husband, I'm sure, he is glad to get me out of the house!

It's great that you are seeing a therapist and I hope that is helping. Wishing you all the best.

I’m not a woman, but I was where you are with my wife. I was her hands on Caregiver for 10 years. She died as a result of her dementia.
what sustained me was attending support meetings with people that we’re having a similar experience. In my community, we have a council on aging and also the Alz association had events. What I learned was I couldn’t do it alone, but I could do it with support from others..

Stress and age put me on meds so I struggle more as a Caregiver. Do as much as you can when you can as it doesn't seem to get any easier.

My 64 yo hubby was diagnosed with MCI in 2020 and so more testing was done and a year later after all the tests... MRI, EEG, spinal tap and more cognitive testing he was diagnosed with alz caused by dementia. It has been a steady decline of cognitive abilities which has produced many challenges for me and I've learned that I just need to accept it. 'With support groups I've learned that I just need to either help him or just do things for him... which helps him with his frustrations and agitations.... as well as mine. It was very hard at first but over the years it's gotten easier and now it's just second nature to help him out cuz he can't do it alone. At times he'll shout out that he hates that he can't do things anymore and in soft tones I tell him it's okay and I don't mind helping him and then he calms down within minutes.
Caregiving has many challenges and we just need to do the best we can!
Strength, peace and hugs to all!!!

I am in a similar situation with my 80-year-old husband and have been told by our doctor that it's only going to get worse; that his heart would outlast his brain. I was prepared to do the caregiver thing but last September I had an unusually odd major stroke (basilar artery occlusion) that I survived mostly intact except I do find myself quite tired all the time and with an unstable gait. I can still cook, do dishes and some light housekeeping but now he has decided that he is MY Caregiver; afraid I might die anytime. (My doctor thinks I have several good years ahead of me.) I don't quite know how to handle this situation now. He spends money like a drunken sailor and that worries me as well. What are my options when he gets so bad I can't deal with him anymore?

I'm sorry to hear about your stroke and about your husband's condition. One thing that helps me is to remind myself that I don't know what will happen next. Unfortunately, some surprises aren't so pleasant, but I do tend to keep managing somehow.

That is heart breaking. Your plate is so full! I encourage you to reach out to the Center on Aging for helpful resources for you both, and the Alzheimer’s association. They are available 24/7 and will connect you to well trained folks who are happy to just listen, comfort you, and give valuable info. Im a praying lady so i will lift you up to our Lord.
Hugs