hes probably having a hard time figuring out the mathematics of how much, and which bills are which. math abilitiesis one of the first to go i believe -was in our case, DH couldnt count back by 7's at first minitest at neuro. it may be bettr to help him out when he is paying,so it doesnt increase his anxiety. divvi
My first guess would be that It MAY be a stalling tactic because he no longer fully recognizes the coins and bills. It could also be physical - weak muscles related to the AD and/or accompanying symptoms. Sometimes there are Parkinsonian symptoms that go along with AD.
When my DH fumbled with money and finally offered it to the checker, and she took what she needed, and gave him change back. He smiled a big smile at her, took his purchase and we left. It had been an eye opener for me, because I hadn't realized that he had lost the ability to count! He carried about 10 dollars in his money clip for about 6 months after that, while I was always with him and used the credit card instead of cash in order to avoid his getting his cash out. After 6 months, one day when I came home from work, I found his money clip on the desk. He hasn't put it back in his pocket since. He does carry about a dollars worth of change, so he can jingle it. :)
The only thing in his wallet is his driver's license (for ID only), his Medicare Card, his insurance card, and the emergency medical information including his medications and to call me on it.
Thanks, bluedaze ... the things we don't think about. I though we were OK because my husband never wanted to have more than $20 in his wallet, and he gave me his credit card when he started having too much trouble calculating tips to use it in restaurants. I'll go through his wallet for "hidden dangers" the next chance I get.
I know my husband no longer can count change. He seems to be ok with the bills at this time because when I ask him how much he has, he can count it and tell me. But he is beginning to have problems. The nice ladies at the WAWA, where he buys his papers, are honest, but I've begun to deal out one twenty at a time. WAWA is literally the only place he needs cash except for the barber shop once a month.
So right now, I'm sticking with things the way they are.
joang, You made the comment "Sometimes there are Parkinsonian symptoms that go along with AD. "
I have noticed a slight tremor or shaking of my wife's head and was wondering if it is something associated with AD or is it early Parkinson's or ?? I have noticed it when she is sitting reading, or riding in the car. Not a serious shake, but it does seem to be something new, at least I hadn't noticed until recently.
I think I am lucky in that my DH has no desire to buy anything. Every day he makes sure he has his wallet, his knife, and a bag to pick up after our dog. In his wallet he has three 20 dollar bills, which he never uses, but enjoys having. From time to time I "borrow" one of those 20's and give him another one later on. He carefully folds the three bills and puts them in his 'wallet'. In some ways I think he enjoys being 'cared for'. And I am thankful for a problem that DOES NOT exist for me.
Having trouble with money is a classic symptom of AD. They lose the ability to understand what a coin represents and how to figure a tip. They often become frightened that they don't have enough money, that there won't be enough for the spouse after they are gone, etc. And, of course, they often think their money has been stolen and accuse others of doing so. They also give it away to phone marketers, scams, TV shows, etc. So it's a good idea to make sure, early on, that they cannot access large amounts of it. More than one caregiver thought there was plenty of money only to find out it was all gone.
I always saw that my DH had several single dollars in his wallet and an expired credit card. I didn't think he'd ever try to use it, but just in case, it wouldn't go thru. Before AD, he never, never left the house w/out checking his wallet to see that he had some cash.
In spite of many obvious problems, I think there were times when my DH also enjoyed being taken care of and I know he was grateful.
Mary, not only would I remove the Medicare card, I would also remove the other medical insurance cards. Those Medical Insurance cards are sometimes hard to get replaced.
Even now, when either I or my husband have to use them at a Doctor office, I have copies made here at home that I take and hand to the clerk. I am always afraid I might loose my purse, forget to get it back from the clerk or whatever. I guess I have a phobia about those cards.
Jane, the emergency medical information, which is on six business cards taped together with clear packing tape, has the insurance information on it with the name of the insurance company, number to call for approval, both his regular doctor's name and number and his neurologist's name and number, with instructions to call both in case of an emergency (as well as me, of course); a list of all his medications and the amounts and when he takes them; his blood type; and of course, his name and address with a picture of him that is about 2"x2" in the upper right hand corner. I do believe in overkill, you see! :) (I have these cards folded over so that it looks like a thick business card and says "IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" on it) I also placed one in each of our vehicles and on the refrigerator - in case something happens to me, they'll know what to do for him.
Thanks for the advice, Joan!
I did this because someone in our group mentioned it a month or so ago, and I sent off for the seat belt medical alert, and when it came, and I filled out the insert, I decided to have that same information everywhere he could be. Whoever brought it up, thank you again!
I did the SAME thing, Mary with overkill. got the seat belt info kit and have them everywhere. now i just remembered when the aide is here with dh and if i should not show up i maybe should leave my LICENSE plate and ID for myself as well...:) does it ever stop?? i have always been in the overkill mode and a worrywart! divvi
I've already added a DNR form my husband. I think I may need a doctor's letter to add to that for the Paramedics. I'm thinking of adding copies of the Advocacy documents to the main packets. Those are the ones I would grab it we were heading to the hospital.
I've got a do not talk to my husband, call my daughter with telephone numbers on my packet. He isn't my Advocate; she is.
Starling, I don't know what Advocacy documents are. Could you explain? We have our DPOA which include medical authority for my daughters to use if I am incapacitated. I do need to add DNR to his packet.
About one-third of people with advanced AD can develop symptoms similar to Parkinson's such as tremors -- that does not necessarily mean they are developing Parkinson's, however. Tremors can also be a side effect of some meds, such as seroquel, resperdal and zyprexa. They can also be from a mini-stroke, or a host of other causes. Talk with her doctor about what you've observed.
I'm calling them Advocacy documents because they have different names in different states. In California they were Living Wills. In Pennsylvania they are Medical Advocacy. They are the documents were you list the person who will make the medical decisions for you if you can't make them for yourself. In Pennsylvania you can include a section where you have made the choices for them in certain circumstances, for example, If I am terminal there will be no feeding tubes and no resuscitation.
Sounds like in your state the DPOA includes the Medical Advocacy information.