1. < Caregivers: Dementia
Profile picture for trishaanderson

What are your plans for for the holiday get togethers?

Posted by trishaanderson @trishaanderson, Dec 7, 2025

At this point, get-togethers are so difficult and confusing for my husband. What family members see is a smiling man who seems to enjoy everyone and everything. He is actually very confused about who these people (our children and grandchildren) are and what's happening. He then acts out when they leave or when we are no longer in the stressful situation. It certainly isn't enjoyable for him or me.

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

Profile picture for dederickve
dederickve | @dederickve | Dec 24, 2025
In reply to @tsc "@dederickve, My husband has moderate Alzheimer's, diagnosed in 2019, but I noticed his behavior was off..." + (show)
Profile picture for Teri @tsc

@dederickve, My husband has moderate Alzheimer's, diagnosed in 2019, but I noticed his behavior was off a couple of years earlier.
I am able to leave him for a few hours at a time. I don't go far, and I limit my necessary excursions to a few a week.
I've installed cameras in our home so I can keep an eye on him where there's a good WIFI connection when I'm out.
Recently, he walked to the park near our house in his pajamas when I was grocery shopping.
Trial and error - I found a tracking device that uses GPS. It's small and lightweight so I can always check where he is. He keeps it in his pants or shirt pocket.
He was resistant to being tracked. I asked him to wear the tracker for me because if I fall or get sick I need to know where he is so I can find him and he can help me. That worked and he's been wearing it.
The device cost under $20, and one month of service was $20, no contract. Service packages are available for a discounted rate, but not refundable. I wanted to try it for a month before I committed to longer service.
He was in Adult Care for six weeks, but got discharged because he wasn't manageable. I was looking forward to the peacefulness of having him out of the house a few days a week, but it wasn't doable. At least now, I have some peace of mind for when I leave him. He's happiest at home and doesn't like other people in the house very much.

Jump to this post

@tsc Thank you for your reply. I hope everything goes as good as possible, for you, and with all of us with this weight of worry, responsibility, and love. I need big prayers for my mood.

REPLY
Profile picture for ocdogmom
ocdogmom | @ocdogmom | Dec 24, 2025

May God bless you all with peace and grace this Christmas.

REPLY
Profile picture for dederickve
dederickve | @dederickve | Dec 25, 2025

Wishing everyone, everywhere, a blessed, peaceful Christmas Day, today. I am grateful to “see” that I am not going through these issues, alone. Even though it sure feels like it. Also, to know that it may not always be as bad as I perceive things to be. Thank you all.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.