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Happy to see all the excitement about Christmas. Maybe you'll get a stocking stuffer of someone visiting for you - or you could give a stocking stuffer emphasizing your visits.
Have a great holiday,
JudyView Thread

What a hard situation for you. Lewy body, like Parkinson's, can be confusing. Sometimes, just helping someone start a movement gets them going.
You don't have to use the term 'hospice' if you think it will upset her. Call it 'special care' while she's feeling this way.
I hope you have some help so that you can have some relief.
JudyView Thread

Your father needs to complain. Having Alzheimer's is so upsetting for everyone, including him. Let him know that you don't blame him for wanting to leave and that he has a right to feel upset. Rational explanations don't register - so agree with his feelings, and tell him that you understand. Try not to take it so persionally - and expect that his need to vent is important.
You've been terrific with your Dad - It's so hard.
Peace,
JudyView Thread

Definitely have locks put on the outside doors. Also, consider painting the inside of the door the same color as the wall to camouflage it. You can also buy or make a large a STOP sign and place it on the door. Another visual idea is to tack a poster of something like a bookcase on the inside of the door. Applying a 6 inch widestrip of black tape before the door itself often is percieved as a void and discourages people from stepping over it.
Hope this works,
JudyView Thread

Thanksgiving is just the beginning of this holiday season. If we can retain that feeling of gratitude for our lives even with the hectic days ahead, we will be giving ourselves the best gift of all.
Hope all goes well,
JudyView Thread

What a hard time for you.
It's difficult enough that your Mom has Alzheimer's. You must preserve yourself in order to survive and even help her. I agree that she should not come into your home, and that there are residences with expertise in caring for people like your Mom. This will permit you to develop a more meaningfuk relationship with her without the strain of taking care of her daily needs. Check out the possibilities now for future reference.
At least consider some day time care since it seems she needs supervision now. She is confused and it seems like she panics - hence, the lost watch recurrence. It gives her an excuse to call you. If she is in an environment where others can reassure her, she may feel better. If she claims she doesn't need help, don't argue. Tell her you need someone there so that you won't worry so much about her. There also may be day programs in your area.
It is your job to take care of yourself first. Even in the airlines, the instructions are to place the oxygen mask on yourself first before your child.
Do not permit Alzheimer's to vanquish you and your life.
Keep us posted - so many of us here know what you are facing.
JudyView Thread

You and your family ar right on top of them both, and are terrific advocates. Hope the situation remains stable to give you a breather.
Take care of yourself, too,
JudyView Thread

I've been busy with the final edits of my new book, "Support for Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregivers: The Unsung Heroes." It will be released in 2013. Meanwhile, what and how are you doing?
Let us know,
JudyView Thread

Your mother needs to have a proper diagnosis first and foremost from an expert in this area. Because of its similarity to Parkinson's, antipsychotic medications that may induce shakiness may not be effective. From the way you describe her negative reactions to medications, perhaps a medication breather may help to see how she responds. However, this should be supervised by a physician that you have faith in. Meanwhile, behavioral approaches may help. Acknowledge to her that she has a disease which causes these terrifying symptoms. It is suggested that caregivers not interrogate her about the details of what she 'saw' but offer reassurance that she is OK now and that they are here to help her. Help her maintain a calm, structured environment. Notice if there is a pattern in her hallucinations - time of day, what else is happening, who else is there. Then adjust her routine to minimize stress times.
Confer with her caregivers about these ideas if they have not already implemented them.
Your Mom is lucky to have you as her advocate,
JudyView Thread

How hard this is to hear about. However, this is not so uncommon. If he is touching others, the behavior should be assessed in terms of how, when, where and who is present when this occurs. Making some environmental changes that trigger the behavior may be the answer. Definitely confer with the psychiatric nurse so that behavioral strategies be used first before medications.
Alzheimer's and other dementia destroys brain cells that may be invovled in stopping oneslf from acting our this way. Please understand that it is the disease that's causing this way of acting out.
Keep us posted,
JudyView Thread
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