Caregiver Forum

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Pinned by Pat's Gameplan
44
Welcome to the Caregiver Forum!

This is the place to connect with others who are on the same caregiver journey as you. Here, you can share your experiences, find support, or just chat with others who truly understand the hardship and, yes, even the occasional joy of being a caregiver.

This community is here to provide you with the emotional support and practical advice you need. Feel free to ask questions, share your stories, and offer advice based on your own experiences.

Remember, you are not alone on this journey. Our forum is a safe space for you to express your feelings, seek advice, and connect with others who are facing similar challenges. Together, we can build a supportive and understanding community where every caregiver feels heard and valued.

Join the conversation today and become part of a community that cares for caregivers!

Posted by: Pat's Gameplan on May 13th, 2024 (6)
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Hi, I'm Emily and my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's just a few months ago.
Hello everyone, my name is Emily, and I am honored to be part of this community, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's just six months ago, and these past months have been a whirlwind of emotions and challenges. From the initial shock and denial to the gradual acceptance and adjustment, it has been a journey of love, patience, and learning. There have been sleepless nights filled with worry, moments of helplessness, and instances where I feel utterly lost. But amidst all this, there are also the cherished moments of connection, the shared memories, and the deepened bond with my father. I hope that by joining this community, it will provide me with a sense of solace and strength, I know that I am not alone and that there is a compassionate community ready to offer support and understanding. I look forward to learning and growing together with all of you.
Posted by: Emily Johnson on July 29th, 2024 (5)
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Looking for recommendations for Memory Care Facilities
I'm a caregiver for my father, currently we live in Nashville, and we've been given the "nudge" by our doctors to start planning for a move to a permanent Memory Care Facility. Does anyone here have any recommendations based on personal experiences? We are willing to relocate. Thanks for your help!
Posted by: Pavel Lesh on August 8th, 2024 (6)
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Anyone else Scrapbooking?
One of the activities we have been doing with my Mother (diagnosed with Alzheimer's) is Scrapbooking, we got the idea from this thread: https://www.scrapbook.com/forum/?m=topic&tid=116391 (I hope its okay to share a link). The whole family has been involved and its helped bring us closer. Interested in hearing others experiences with it.
Posted by: Allen Rigsby on August 8th, 2024 (7)
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Resources to help caregivers avoid burnout?
I'm looking for specific resources to pass on to caregivers to help them avoid burn out. I've been in health care for 32 years and caregivers working with Alzheimer's patients appear to be burning out at an alarming rate (this is just my observation, I'm not citing a study or anything). I'm searching for anything from materials, to support groups to assist caregivers in their day to day. I'm located in the Southeast United States.
Posted by: Lauren Thomas LPN on August 13th, 2024 (3)
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Cooking suggestions?
I am the primary caregiver for my grandmother, cooking is something we have always shared. Today I am finding myself concerned about the gas being left open on the gas stove. I'm considering having the gas line disconnected. Has anyone gone down this path? We've shifted to more takeout and vegetable meals (I know not really recommended for her (the takeout)). I just feel so lost. Any encouragement is appreciated.
Posted by: Tiffany Bays on August 19th, 2024 (3)
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Planner Recommendations?
As a caregiver I know that the daily routine is life and death, but things still creep up, in this current season it seems like more than ever. What are you using from your Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly planner? I haven't found one I really love yet, and I'm not interested in an app. My poor phone is so overrun with apps it just beeps all the time. Do you have a quality brand or something bespoke that you love? If so please drop the link in the discussion below.
Posted by: Michael Taylor on August 28th, 2024 (4)
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Resources for Support Groups?
I've been all over social media, I know there are Groups Online for support (and I'm grateful for them), but are there in-person resources as well? Something like a weekly in-person support group that I could attend? I would even be willing to travel (I'm in Southern Florida).
Posted by: Mark Casey on September 13th, 2024 (2)
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Supportive Therapy Recommendations?
I am looking for real world supportive therapy recommendations. I know therapy groups exist, but I haven't been able to find one. Also, online its recommended that early onset patients should learn a new activity. Can anyone recommend a new activity their patient has learned? The examples I am finding are learning a second language or musical instrument. I can't personally see either of those things going well, but if others have lived it, and hound it to be successful I'll give it a try.
Posted by: Kellen Brown on September 23rd, 2024 (3)
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General Insurance Question
Has medicaid or Medicare or private insurance helped with any of the necessary treatments in your experience? We are at an impasse with continuing to fund required treatments and are looking for some guidance.
Posted by: Cassie Deaner on September 26th, 2024 (2)
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Diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimers Action Plan (from personal experience)
Hello Community, I wanted to come here and post what I did when my father was first diagnosed with early-onset. This is my action plan and the steps we took. Please feel free to comment and add your suggestions and experiences.

1. Education (start by watching every single video available on this site).
2. Financial planning, consider your family, insurance and any work responsibilities you have.
3. Stay healthy. Join a gym, quit alcohol, improve your diet.
4. Use memory aids. Buy a calendar, a planner, a pillbox and a notebook.
5. Learn to ask for help with daily tasks. Cooking, transportation and paying bills.
6. Join a Support Group!
7. Talk about your feelings. Share your feeling with friends, family and church staff.
8. Take all of the medications your doctor prescribes!
9. Be Patient with yourself.
10. Educate yourself. You are your strongest advocate.
11. Consider Social Security Disability as an early option.

I'm sure I have more, but I wanted to list what was at the top of my thoughts this morning! Look forward to hearing what others advice, experiences and thoughts are.
Posted by: Darla Brown on October 30th, 2024 (1)
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What's normal when it comes to changes in abilities?
Hi to all of you. I just stumbled onto this site. I don't know if it's normal to have a dramatic turn in abilities or memory or if it comes and goes quickly? My FIL started down this road last December. He has bouts of not knowing how old he is. He's 77 and he thinks he is 20 then 30 then 50. He has always worked right up to when he was hospitalized. One day he will be really good then the next he is hallucinating with animals running around in his room. He can be talking to you normally and then you will see his head turn like he is looking at something. I ask what he is looking at? Oh those sheep are rough housing again it's because it's raining in the room. Then a week later he can be perfectly normal. Then back to hallucinating and not having a clue how old he is or reality again. He is in a nursing home which is the best place for him. My emotional transmission is about tore out. I prepare myself that he will be in the delusional state until his life is over but then he starts putting things together again. I guess I get hopeful that it was just a small dip. Today he was ducking because the chopper was flying through his room. He wants a job. He wants to earn money. He doesn't want to listen to the radio or watch TV. He refuses to engage in any activities. He will sit in his room alone in silence for weeks. I go to visit him almost everyday. He knows who I am and calls me by name. He also thanks me for coming to see him every time I go. I was talking to the nurse today and I asked his about a sensory blanket.? He said I think that would be to easy for him he wants to work. He gave him a bunch of socks and wash clothes to fold and he said it helped soothe him. He recommended that I get some second hand store clothes basket of things for him to fold so he could feel accomplished at a task. He also gets very upset thinking people are stealing from him. He has marked all of his clothes with huge initials all over the front of his clothes. I am almost afraid to give him the extra things because if he thinks they disappeared he will more then likely get violent. If anybody has any similar experiences or has any ideas on how to help him calm his delusions, anxiety, or aggression it would be much appreciated.
Posted by: Susan Edwards on December 11th, 2024 (1)