Just found this site and will surely be checking in on a regular basis. My husband was diagnosed with EOAD about 3 yrs ago and last year with Parkinson's. He just turned 56. He is pretty homebound, lost his drivers license a year ago and hasn't worked for two years now. My biggest concern is that he is isolating himself more and more, and just spending his days watching TV. He has lost interest in much of what he used to do. I don't know how much to try and push him into more, and also there is a very limited amount of things he/we can do at this point. Do I continue to try or just give up? His Dr has recommended keeping him as busy as possible, and less time in front of the TV. While he doesn't want to do things he is encouraging me to stay active, but I don't feel right about leaving him home alone so much, and of course there are the safety concerns. Advice welcome!! c3plo
c3plo, Welcome to this site. My, my, sorry you have your hands full. I don't know your LO'S capibilities but can he play computer games or video games? Springtime is coming; can he mess around in an outside small garden (very small scale) even if it is two pots to care for? Any board games that you two can play? I have an EOAD spouse w/o the Parkinson's but w/ heart problems that has kept him inactive. I always felt I didn't want to pressure him but spoke to AD patient and said even if he struggles to play games it is working his mind. The neuroligist told me recently the only thing that seems to help is physical and mental exercise. We are all striving to help our LO'S and it is so hard.This may or may not help. At least if you stick with us, others will comment & we will tell you things from personal experience. Oh, my LO does not even like T.V. but likes his games. Thanks for sharing, Pat
Hi c3plo I too am fairly new to this site ,and can relate. Hubby is same age as yours and has been diagnosed 5 yrs. He no longer drives, does nothing on computer, was only watching tv and sleeping while I was able to work. We do have a dog he walks during the day a couple of times. Otherwise, I have had him help dry dishes, get clothes out of dryer- though I have to show him which is the dryer. Anything he can do housewise, vaccuum even though not like I would, is a help to me and makes him feel important. I am now at home with him , and we go to flea markets some- he really likes that, or a yard sale- things that remind him of objects of the past. If we can do something for a neighbor, or church friend it gives us a good feeling. We DO miss just hanging out with a couple of friends, and have to find other ways to fill our time more than in the past. Walks are good, even in right here at home. He enjoys things still like watching birds at the birdfeeder, seeing the stars at night- things that would be more like a child on a walk. He once collected a certain color rock out of our dirt drive and would place them in a jar till he filled it. He can't seem to follow nor have interest in board games or things with too many steps- keep it simple! His job kept him very social , so a trip to Walmart in our local town is fun for him. He talks to people he doesn't even know and is attracted to children. Sometimes his conversation makes no sense though he usually involves me to fill in the answers,and can be embarrassing in things he might say. Bless you everyone in our journeys!!
I am beginning to wonder if my husband has Parkinson's along with FTD. He has these episodes where he can barely walk his legs are stiff, tremors & head pain. Last night during one of these episodes, I finally got him into bed, he was having tremors & his arm was stiff as a board. Finally, after a while he relaxed. He does have the myoclonic jerking, which he takes Keppra for. Also, his voice will be very weak & sometimes has problems swallowing. My husband is 57 years old. Any thoughts would be welcome.
Everything with the brain is so interrelated. I have friend whose husband has FTD, and is also experience tremors - he can barely hold a fork or write.
They went to John's Hopkins in Baltimore for a compelte evaluation and they said he had Lewy Body's. His neurologist here disputes that vehemently, but I don't think he's been checked for Parkinson's yet.
I would definitely tell your husband's neurologist and ask for more testing.