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What a hard situation and strain on you, both physically and emotionally. Is your Dad diabetic and is it being controlled? With dementia, it's unlikely you'll make much of a dent regarding better nutrition since he sounds like he wasn't responding to that before it started. Low fat and sugar substitutes might help.
Meanwhile, I hope you have some assistance in performing his routine daily hygiene because you need to protect yourself from undue physical damage.
Take care of yourself,
JudyView Thread

Frequently, Lewy body dementia involves vivid hallucinations which may be what's happening to your husband, especially in the middle of the night. Memory issues develop later in the illness. It's important to consult with a neurologist who is familiar with this disease to determine whether he would benefit from additional treatments.
Meanwhile, please take steps to keep yourself safe - perhaps even sleeping in a separate room.
Hope you get some relief,
JudyView Thread

Hope you've been able to arrange for hospice for your aunt. Her symptoms sound like the late stages of Alzheimer's, with 7 years about the average length of the disease. Her swallowing difficulties need to be addressed with a change of diet; the medical personnel should advise you.
Studies report that the inability to eat after food consistency has been adjusted is actually a way people let go, and that it is a relatively painless process.
You've been so attentive to her and she is lucky to have you on her team.
JudyView Thread

Sorry that I've been a little late with replies but I've just finished a round of cataract surgery which so far has been a miracle. My distance eyesight is perfect and the world looks brighter. If only there was such a magical treatment for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
Spring will soon be here,
JudyView Thread

It's so nerve wracking to see someone you love go through these kind of changes.
Hope that your physician has shed some light on your husband's condition. Did anyone do a CT scan to rule out vascular incidents? A proper diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment.
Hope you are getting some answers,
JudyView Thread

Along with Carol's great suggestions, I would add that if you and your husband visit, one of you could take out your mother-in-law while the other stays home with your father-in-law. You could also have your husband tell his mother how worried about her he is about her and that getting in some help would make him feel relieved. Statistics sadly show that when the caregiver never gets relief, emotional stress and physical breakdown soar.
Meanwhile, you are one attentive daughter-in-law.
JudyView Thread

Carol has given you some sound suggestions. One way to get him to the doctor is to not tell him until right before you go, and then say that you are both going because you are sick with worry and need to be reassured that all is well.
Hope something works,
JudyView Thread

What a shock for you and your family.
It would help if you could find out what is causing your mother's symptoms,since dementia and ataxia are symptoms of an illness, not the illness itself.
Perhaps a neurologist could shed light on what is causing these symptoms. Try to find out some answers at a major hospital that has a memory clinic. Other ailments mainfest these symptoms - asd as soon as you have a definitive diagnosis, treatment can begin.
I hope you find some answers,
JudyView Thread

It's great that you followed up so quickly with your husband. Perhaps his medications needed a review. Often, people with Alzheimer's begin to reverse night and day as their circadian or day/night rhythms are disturbed, and they might start sleeping during the day and staying up at night. Sometimes, changing the times of administering medication may help, if your doctor suggests it.
You are wise to have one doctor be in charge of your husband's health and his prescriptions so that drug interactions can be prevented.
Keep up the good work,
JudyView Thread

Hope your Mom is better now. Whenever there is a change of behavior, a medical check for something like a bladder infection should be ruled out. In my experience, the physical status should always be checked first.
If she is medically OK, then following the lead of identifying the who, what when and where of the increase of anxiety helps to determine the pattern and the triggers. Then, steps to anticipate the situation and avoid the triggers helps alleviate the symptoms. If it occurs in the late afternoon, she may be 'sundowning'.
Anxiety can be treated with certain anti-depressants which may have fewer side effects such as sleepiness so check this out with her physician. Also, she may be having a new sensitivity to the current medications she takes.
Keep up the good work,
JudyView Thread
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