Hi everyone, I'm new here too. My husband is in early stages but I'm already getting blind sided by unexpected silent treatments over the most minute events. This morning is was the position of the handle on the toilet. I can't imagine what's in store when something bad happens. Thanks for being here.
Joan, Hi & welcome. I am so sorry you need this group, however, I am sure you will find everyone kind, a wealth of information & non-judgemental. My husband is 58 years old with Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD) Please feel free to post at anytime.
Hi Joan, You will find that this website is your best ally. Everyone here is experiencing the same problems you are and at all different stages so as you read through different conversations, you will get a hint of what's to come. Remember, everyone is different and the stages are not rigid. Your hubby may go back and forth with his behavior. One thing to remember, you never know what to expect so always keep it in mind that these behavior problems are the disease talking-not him. My hubby is 61 (as of April 1st) and has had dementia since he was 53. He is in the severe state now. I'm sorry you have to need this website but you will find it is the best resource you will have. We'll laugh together, cry together, hold each others hand and even plan cyber parties!! We all need each other so welcome to the group.
Good morning and welcome. Sometimes I think its a matter getting our heads around this disease and training ourselves through trial and error to cope with things that, in our ordinary lives, would be so simple.. What the books don't tell us but what you WILL learn here are WAYS to cope and affirmation that you are sane no matter how insane it gets there around the toilet handle!! Again, welcome.
Hi Joan I am fairly new here to , only a few months but I find this site the best ever , when you are feeling like no one understands , come and post someone will answer and most of the time make you feel so much better, give good advice and cry with you and hold your hand, give big hugs , welcome
Welcome, Joan. As some of the others have said, "you've found a safe place to land." Any problems you may have, someone has already gone before you and can help you through it.
Welcome! You've come to the island where all the help, encouragment and understanding are. Any specific questions? There's always someone w/an answer or suggestion. It's a site of humor, too.
Welcome to our Land of Oz joan! me too -i am an oletimer at caregiving for DH. 9+yrs 24/7...i feel i could write a thesis on this subject at this point. the journey is going to test your sanity many times along the way, we are here to help you put it all back into perspective again-your gain will be from our mistakes we've made along the way. hope to see you enter the conversations often! divvi
Welcome! There is a lot here to read! Joan's main page on the left side has a lot of advice, and the older discussions do as well. If there is a topic you have a question about, after you sign in, go to "search" at the top of the page, type in the word that you need help with, and click on comments and you should pull up a lot of history on any given topic. Some of the topics have long names, so unless you are exact, it might not pop up, but comments will list to topic with the comments, so you can then click on the topic to read it.
Joan, Welcome! By finding this forum you will find lot's of info to guide you along the journey. It won't be fun, but together we can do it! No matter how prepared we are/get, there is always things that blind side us. But you have a great place to share and learn to roll with the punches. Rk
Thanks for the welcome. I could sit here all day and read about situations worse than mine (for now) and actually be a little greatful for this time when things are not so bad yet. Learning to appreciate the good days is a big lesson.
Joan 1012, welcome aboard the train! I'm with you about just reading - I don't post often since things aren't too bad with my DH yet either. My heart aches for so many who post of all the problems they go through daily (minute-by-minute). But we can learn from them and hopefully, be more prepared when that time comes.
thats one tribute i would take readily !! DrDivviMD! like Duggyhowser MD -haha. and its funny but as much as i complain about poop patrol i have grown so efficient(??:) at it i feel complacent to have that title under my belt. what i do appreciate is now i have had yrs of expertise to help others who find themselves taking the initial 'course' POO DUTY 101... i am now mastering my studies of puddle queen 3rd semester.. take it in stride -or you will be crawling the walls! those of you who find yourselves following in my tracks are going to need a crash course..hehehe..divvi
Joan1012 - welcome! Sorry for your need to be here, but I'm glad you are! Keep reading, you'll learn a ton! Everyone here is in the same situation, some more dire than others, but we all stick together and help, love and support one another. Hang in there! ~Di
Dr divvi sounds great but I honestly think divvi is gonna become a Crusader for caregivers with wacky friends and family members! Who needs a hit man when you got divvi in your corner? She could start a business about sending out wake up call's to the uninformed or uncaring friends and family, Kinda like the Locator or the Dog (bounty hunter) but AD style. Heck I would pay for the service. Rk
One day, I accidently mistyped Divvi's name (as in Divine!)... I typed a "e" instead of an "i"..and it read "DEVVI"..(as in Devil). I betcha she can handle either role if the need should arise. :-)
Welcome to my website. I am in Washington DC at the Alzheimer's Public Policy Forum - exhausted from the frenetic pace, so can't give you my proper welcome. Short version - be sure to go to the home page -www.thealzheimerspouse.com, and check out all of the resources and information on the left side. In the previous blog section, there will be many to which you can relate.
Joan1012, you're "not in Kansas anymore." Welcome to this family of caring individuals. We will hold your hand through frustration, hardship, amazement, disbelief, anger, and whatever else. Please post & not be shy. It feels good to let it out.
Hi Joan, I'm so glad you found us. I, too, am new. This is a wealth of kind, caring wonderful people all on the same jouney. They either know the answer or will find out for you. Best of luck and patience to you.
Nancy B-- Remember it isn't the diving that's a problem, and the trip is a wonder, just be careful on the landing.
Joan welcome. No matter the need, you'll find friends here to help, offer support, or just have a laugh with. Everything is on the table. There is no judgement. You can vent, cry, ask for help, and offer support to others, as the case may be. We are your new family.
Welcome! My 50 year old husband is showing all the signs of being in between stages 3 and 4 and is not yet diagnosed. I must say that if it weren't for this message board and the caring, experienced people who so promptly participate, I would have thought by now that I was the one with the problem. instead I have found advice, strength, fortitude and so much more. I'm sure you will find the same.
Skydiving--like that analogy. Except we are skydiving not by choice, but rather like someone just opens the door and pushes us out of the plane! Welcome to Joan.
It's also kind of like being thrown into the deep end of the pool, when you don't even know how to swim. You dog paddle like crazy to avoid drowning. If you manage to stay alive, your swimming improves. (-: Having all the folks on site extending their hands to keep you afloat is a blessing and a life-saver.