Yesterday was lousy day and last night was even worse. Bill spent the entire day getting up and down and every time I was scared to death he was going to miss the chair when sitting down. I had to be with him every minute of the day. One time he decided it was time to leave and out the door he went. No coat and below freezing. He walked to the garage and back into the house because he was cold. When getting ready for bed last night, he sat on the side of the bed and slid to the floor. He yelled "Oh my leg". I knew he hadn't hurt it because of the way he just slid off the bed. Try as I could, I could not get him up. I tried to tell him to sit up, get on your knees, hold my hand anything I could think of. He almose broke my hand he squeezed it so hard. I had to use my other hand to break his grip. I ended up calling the neighbor, who come over and helped get him up and into the bed. After he got into the bed he was so incoherent that I couldn't understand anything he said. Got him tucked in and I went to bed. Only to be awakened at eleven-thirty by him getting up to go to the bathroom. Still very unsteadyl Up again at twelve-thirty, again at two. I kept hearing him stumbling around in his room. All I thought was, if you end up on the floor again, I'll give you a pillow and a blanket and you can stay there. It got quiet in his room and I went to check on him. He was partially dressed in street clothes and half laying on the bed. It looked like he sat down and layed back.The only thing that kept him from sliding off again was his knees were bent. He had one shoe on and that kept him from sliding on the hardwood floor. I had to wake him up to try sitting him up without him ending up on the floor again. Then he go angry and wouldn't go back to bed. Like I said, it was a long night. Now he is sleeping in the chair. _________________
Oh Joyce, I am so sorry you are having such a hard time right now. This darn AD is so unfair for both you and your dear husband. I hope today goes better for you. Kathy
Yes Joyce , I second that. Poor baby, my heart is aching for you and I mean it ; my whole my heart. I know you need some rest and help. I pray some way you get it. Pat
The nurse from the psychiatrist's office just called to remind me of Bill's appmt. tomorrow. She ask how things were going and I told her the neurologist had taken him off the aricept and the namenda. Her response was. "Oh, no, How can they do that?" That makes me feel real good. Now I get to worry about should I have taken him off of them.
Just wondering, is there any chance that Bill could have a UTI or some other infection? I have read that their AD symptoms can seem to escalate when they have one? I hope things settle down for you.
You've got to get some help or you're going to end up physically hurt. A night home health aide may be a choice. Contact the Alzheimer's Association in your area, and they should be able to guide you in the right direction.
Leighanne, Bill was just in to see his primary doctor, but I was wondering about that today. He doesn't complain but he is running to the bathroom every time I turn around. I have followed him in there and all he does is sit down and get right back up. He doesn't go when he's there.
Joang, It isn't as bad as it sounds. I only post when things don't go right so it seems like things are worse than they really are. Most nights he goes to bed with no problem and sleeps right through. It's only 6 and he just went to bed. If things go as normal, he will probably sleep all night. If I could just get him to sit still for five minutes, it would help. Thanks for your concern though. I think I will know when i've reached my limits. I hope I will.
He has an appointment with the psychiatrist tomorrow, I should say the nurse practiciner (that isn't spelled right) I have a page and a half of things I want to cover. She will take all the info and the doctor will review it. The last time Bill went in the doctor called me the same day. I do want to question the doctor about the seroquel. When Bill takes 25mg, he will be asleep within a half hour. At night when he takes 175mg, he seems to get more unsteady and weak. It doesn't put him to sleep. I would think taking that much more would knock him out.
Joyce: Calling the neighbor for help was a good idea. Most people are willing to help and you, as his caregiver, really have to protect yourself. When he can't get up from the floor, bring a sturdy kitchen chair to him, try to get him to put his hand on the seat of the chair. If you can get him into a crawling position, it's easier for him to brace himself and, hopefully, get up. If need be, when no one is there to help, don't hesitate to call 911--you have to protect your back. Don't let yourself get sleep deprived, and that can happen very fast. Take care of Joyce.
Joyce, I feel we have the Bobsie Twins. They are like hand in hand. When they fall it is hard to give them instructions to get up. If a neighbor is not available, try your fire dept. ours have what they call lift assist. Might be a good idea to call now and ask if they have it, then you will know when you have the need. I have read on another board that when they are taken off Aricept they lose ground fast. After just a short time it doesn't help to go back on it. If anyone thinks they want to stop. Norbert says to try half dose and see if you see a decline. If you see a decline, go back to full dose. If not you can stop, it is not working.
Gene had a bad morning. He had chest pain more than usual, I had to use the wheelchair to get him to his bed. I was holding him and thinking my goodbyes. He got aroused, I thought, "heck he still not safe to hold". He slept for a couple hours and was better. He now is walking to wherever I am but not very steady.
Joyce, It really sounds that you may need to go ahead and get the hospital bed. You can at least lower and raise it as needed. I also have planned when the time comes for needing help with Jim falling I would call the fire department, many people have suggested that to me. I am always trying to be prepared for what will come.
Joyce, as for the getting up so often in the night UTI or possibly Prostate problems could cause this. Check with the Doctor about both.
Joyce, have you considered just putting the mattress on the floor? When my mom was in the nursing home, she kept trying to get out of bed and ended up breaking her arm. They put her mattress rght on the floor. Then they got a wonderful electric bed that lowered almost to the floor and then went up so it could be made easily. Hang in there.
Jang, I spent the morning yesterday doing just what you said. The problem was that we have a king size bed and I couldn't lift the mattress. With a lot of thought I was finally able to get the frame down and everything put back together. Even without the frame the bed is the same heighth as all our other beds. But now Bill is able to get in it without having to climb.
I started writing earlier and my daughter called, by the time I got back everything had dissappeared.
BarbaraKay, I will call the fire department today about the lift assist.
Neighbor just called to let me know she was going out and wanted to know if I needed anything. I told her I had to go to the doctor's so I could get what I needed at that time. She is just a young kid (she is only 39) but she is a lot of help to me.
Bill went to bed at 6:00 last night and I was in bed by 9:00. We both got a good nights sleep and are feeling better today.
Joyce, After all that you went thru today, I hope you can settle in, know that it is time to put it all on hold till the morning and get a goodnite sleep. The hospital will take care of Bill and you can visit him in afternoon. Try and do something good and relaxing for yourself. And feel the love and hugs we send to you.