Spouse has very early dementia?

Posted by cbmb Cathie @cbmb, Jul 22 1:09pm

Hi I am fairly new here. I believe my husband has something going on cognitively but I am so confused. We cared for his mother when she had Alzheimer’s off and on for about 8 years but don’t know if that is what is happening with my husband. Very different than with his mom. But I feel like I don’t know this man I’m married too. He will not go to our doctors. I’ve talked to our doctor and he has tried various ways to get him to make an appointment. He can go to the VA also. He did start to go and his doctor sent him for therapy ( Depression) but he does not tell the therapist everything. He will not let me go with him. I’m sure he does have some depression but there is something else going on. He won’t do anything anymore. He doesn’t take care of our yard etc… only mowed 1x this year. He loves fishing and has always fished and hunted . He literally sits and watches tv day after day. His hygiene isn’t as good. He never wants me to leave the house. When I do he tells me I’m always gone. His newest passion is grocery shopping. He looks at the ads as soon as the post online Wednesday morning ( 12:00am) . I am 63 and he is 66. We have been married 44 years. His personality is different . He talks stupid things like he’s a teenage boy? Gives me nicknames that I hate and calls me that all the time till he thinks of a new one. Right now I’m Scraper. He will ask me if we are ok a lot. If I’m in a different room he’s constantly asking what I’m doing. We no longer sleep together because about 2 years ago he started telling me he couldn’t sleep with me I kept him awake? We have a non existent sex life, once in awhile he calls something a odd name. I’ve talked to him several times about these things he has a reason for everything. We bought supplies to redo our trim 3 yrs ago (it needs replaced) it still sits in our garage, wire fencing for our yard also and lattice for around our deck. He has called Turkeys Robins, a cookie sheet a scraper, a coaster for a drink a puck etc… he sleeps 8-9 hours a night but always lays down later and takes a nap. His penmanship has changed and is really squiggly. I’m just in a place of limbo because he’s very different, personality etc… everyone ( our kids , grown grandchildren , friends) have noticed he’s different. I guess I m wanting a Doctor to confirm there’s something because I feel guilty thinking it. But I know in my heart it’s something. What ? Not sure. We have always had a good marriage, good sex , spending time together , doing things etc… Right now I feel like a roommate. I’m so sad yet scared at the same time. This has been for over 2 years.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

@janet7

As we age, our memory changes naturally and it looks different than it did when we are younger. This can create a lot of uncertainty about whether the changes in memory are caused by normal aging or whether they are warning signs for dementia.

When we age, it might take longer than normal to complete a task like cooking a familiar recipe, or getting used to a new form of technology. We may also lose keys or phone from time to time. That is also normal. Oftentimes, misplacing things comes from a lack of paying attention, not dementia. The forgetfulness that accompanies normal aging may be frustrating, but we can still handle independent and normal life.

Forgetfulness that interferes with our ability to live our daily life may be a warning sign of dementia. This could include forgetting a long-used recipe, no longer being able to use appliances that were previously easy to move or no longer being able to navigate familiar neighborhoods.

For a more detailed differentiation between normal aging and dementia, the National Institute on Aging has helpful resources including the video below detailing the difference between normal aging and dementia. Visit this webpage for more information.

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Thanks, I have read a lot about normal memory and aging etc… it is helpful to understand. We helped my mother in law a lot and when she had Alzheimer’s many years back. I cannot say this is what l am dealing with . I can say that it’s not normal aging though.

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@cbmb

Thanks, I have read a lot about normal memory and aging etc… it is helpful to understand. We helped my mother in law a lot and when she had Alzheimer’s many years back. I cannot say this is what l am dealing with . I can say that it’s not normal aging though.

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I totally agree with you, and what you are experiencing with your husband is not just old age.
If I were you, I would find a Dementia/Alzheimers group, perhaps asking your doctor for his advice. You can take your husband with you and you will learn and get help with his condition, whatever it may be. The more you learn and are with other caregivers, the more confident you will be as his caregiver.

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