Hi, My wife was diagnosed with ALZ 4 months ago and I thought it would be helpful to join your group. If you have any info on early onset ALZ that you think is good, please let me know. Thanks, Mike
Hi Mike. Welcome to the group no one should have to join. This is a wonderful place to find ways to deal with the problems that come up and with the stress on you. Being the spouse is very different than being another family member. I thought I was ready after helping to care for my mother in law. Not EVEN close. I am not dealing with early onset though, but there are a number of people here dealing with that along with raising young kids. One of the most valuable things about this site is the Search function at the top of this page. People have been using this forum as they went through their journey for at least a decade now. Most every topic has been talked about. And, if you don't find what you are looking for, post a.question here.
There are also lots of articles on the main page, but here is the place for day to day support.
When you see responses from people with an asterisk after their name it means their spouse has passed on. Sometimes they have the date that happened. They stick around to help us "newbies". They also still rely on the friends they made here because even though they actually survived to "AFTER" it is still difficult to relate to people who have not lived in this world.
Hello, Mike--My husband didn't have early onset, so I don't have any specific wise counsel about that one--but others on this forum do, and I'm sure they'll be along. There is a lot of support and good, common sense advice on this website, so although none of us wants to be here, it is a godsend for help. People here know more Al Z. Heimer than the professionals (and I'm a professional)...so welcome to the merry band here in Happy Hollow.
Welcome Mike you have come to the right place loads of support and no judgement. My wife was diagnosed with early onset in May of 2012 if your situation was anything like ours it was difficult to get the diagnosis as nobody wants to tell you when you are in your mid fifties. It was devastating but it is the hand we are dealt. She has been in care now for the past year many tough decisions and many tears along the way a rollercoaster of emotions.
Welcome and please feel free to ask anything no question too small or too stupid. We here need each other as we all are living it, we get what you are going through. Good luck and come here often I do.
I am not among the most knowledgeable here but having been through this I can give you my two cents worth anyway.
My Dear Helen had what they called Vascular Dementia which I consider one of the easiest dementias to deal with because it did not drag on for such a long time. It was only 8 years from beginning to end, and except for the the last 18 months, we were still having fun and enjoying life together.
There are so many different kinds of dementias, and from what I've learned here,I think all dementias are the same except some last longer than others.
I wish you good luck, Mike ....... Maybe you can do as we did and live a happy life through most of it.
Welcome Mike. There are many here dealing or have dealt with younger onset. Joan who started this site definitely did so her blogs deal with it a lot. My husband was 60 when diagnosed, I was 55. We all can look back and see the signs years before. We are now into year 9 of this disease. His younger sister died after 9 years, his dad 20+ years - so there is no rhyme or reason to this disease. I think there is more heartbreak when it hits in the 40s, 50s and early 60s (or younger). All our dreams of retirement, the plans we made to enjoy our senior years together without the pressures of raising kids, having to work, etc. are gone. Also, when they are younger, diagnosis is often harder to get and help can be near impossible because the are 'too young'.
Please tell us more and questions you have. there are many who will try to answer with their experiences on the subject.
Hi Mike. This May 23/17 post by paulc. will be helpful, I'm sure:
"I would make sure that you have Power of Attorney, Durable Power of Attorney and Medical Power of Attorney. Also, on a good day, have your husband sign a letter stating that his doctors may talk with you.
If you attend him to a doctor's visit, the doctor thinks he has dementia, the doctor should be able to talk with you (but might not). My wife's neurologist said that my being with her at her exam implied consent on her part, so the doctor could talk with me privately. Also, the dx of dementia meant that she needed an advocate. Unfortunately many doctors simply do not understand HIPIAA and will refuse to speak with a spouse or child of the patient no matter severe the dementia. HIPAA definitely allow for discussion without patient consent in these circumstances."
To prepare for the future and to help with these issues I recommend seeing an eldercare attorney. Without your husband."