yep. I was adding up getting just the cheapest part B, C and D= about 250. Doesn't leave me much left and still have those deductibles to pay. After 3 years on Medicaid of not having to pay anything it will take getting use to. Also, not go to the doctor as often.

I know about not feeling old. I use to think retirement, SS and Medicare were for old people. Well, I am there and don't feel old. 64 almost 65 doesn't seem that old. But then when I think about many people I know dying in their late 70s including my mom and sister, I don't have that many years left.

He has broken the bows on his glasses to where they are almost unwearable. There is a strap that will hold them on but he wants the part that goes behind your ear. He also has gone through 3 pairs of clip-on sunglasses this year. Today I gave him a pair of regular sunglasses to wear when he went to check the mail. Was sitting watching TV with them on, then I saw him trying to bend the bows of them to make them tight behind his ear. I yelled at him to stop before he broke them which did not make him happy. Monday looks like no day care so I can make the trip to Walla Walla to get new bows for his glasses and hopefully shorter ones that will fit him better. I was going to do it on Friday but the car had to go into the shop, so then was going to do it Tuesday but now better get it done or I will go crazy!

yes, I looked into it. Without my taking SS we would qualify, but my SS puts us over the maximum limit.

Charlotte,

Part B is simply, you simply accept it and I think it is around $110/month. For the other parts you should get some assistance. I was just on a FB forum where someone described how they free assistance in selecting plans. It might have been from the Medicare office. Some pharmacies will review the Plan B options with you to help pick the best one. I reviewed Plan B options with my FIL years ago and I found it quite confusing.

Thank you for asking about my son. He has finished his sophomore year of college. He worked hard but grades are not there. Partly due to heavy course load (3 science and 1 math course each semester) but I think he still doesn't quite know how to study. But becoming more responsible for himself all of the time. He is working temp office jobs this summer. When offered on Friday a job that started the next day (Saturday) he jumped on it, he knows he needs the money and I think he is getting bored with all of the free time when they don't have an assignment for him. And I think the work (filing) will inspire him to do better in school. He definitely doesn't want to make his summer jobs his career.

Paul, I was until two or three (?) years ago a 4th year student at UBC, and one of the big things I noticed is that you have to learn a new way of studying. There is so much material to cover that you can no longer go in-depth on any one thing. Somehow you have to decide what is important and what can be handled as only an overview. Since I love detail, I never did master the art. But I understand there are free courses and resources at the institution that are available that can help you. If I were back in university, I would do this. It seems to start with note-taking: you listen, sum it in a few points and note those points. Some lecturers speak very quickly, or mumble, or are just not clear. At my age and with a hearing problem, I tried paying for notes from a student who was doing it for handicapped students. It wasn't too successful. So I went online for the same course taught by another university, and a few of them had printed material available for the asking. I went from a "threatened failure" in the first semester of a Children's Literature course to a final "B."
That is a heavy course load your son is carrying. Maybe now he's got the basics down, he can more easily build on that. Best of luck to him.
Oh, I just remembered. There was a student service where a graduate student would help with your finished essay. I learned a lot from her. She had had the same instructor and was able to point out to me just what the instructor wanted and what she wouldn't tolerate. It was all very picky, I thought, but it was easy to do once I knew.

Mary, I've been pushing my son to go to the university study center. He doesn't remember me saying this the entire month of January. He now realizes that he is not where he needs to be in terms of grades. He has been putting in the time and effort, but I suspect doesn't quite know how.

The next semester's course load is lighter. He is now done with physics and math courses He was getting tutoring from a friend who teaches in the engineering school. My son waited a month to long before going to him for help.

Found out that the temp agency office (large firm, this office does accounting and office support in downtown DC) values him and he is at the top of list for jobs. So he should be busy until he heads back to college.

http://blog.thealzheimerssite.com/food-borne/?utm_source=alz-alzaware&utm_medium=social-fbpc&utm_term=ALZAWARE-PC-food-borne-5cCPM-O45-KWalz-DESKT&utm_campaign=PC-food-borne&origin=ALZ_ALZAWARE_SOCIAL_FBPC_PC_FOOD-BORNE

interesting article. Kind of goes with my belief a lot of the cases are caused by the junk in our air, water and food chain. It also has a link talking about how money was diverted from Alzheimer's research to other more urgent diseases.

Thanks, Myrtle & Charlotte.

anyone else have a bunch of post by 'arachni'? I sent Joan an email but not sure how soon it will be seen.

Looks like we have been hijacked to me. Why is the question?

As is expected, hb is still going down. The last few mornings he forgets where his cereal is. I have had to help him get clean shaven. Part was the new razor was not doing a good job. I couldn't even get it to cut the longer whiskers. I had to use my razor. Yesterday took it back and got a new one, a norelco since we have had good luck with it. This one is corded so no worry of the battery running out in the middle of shaving. Last night he asked me if I would cut his toenails. Shocked he would ask which he never has done and shocked they were so long. He use to clip them and they are suppose to be checking them once a month at day care. Evidently not - either he was not there the day they did it or they never did.

I went to a caregiver support meeting Tuesday leaving him at home. When I left he was sitting outside which was fine. He was still sitting there when I got home a couple hours later but all chairs were set up. He said the people 'over there' came and visited (pointing across the street). I asked the neighbor next door who keeps an eye on him and said he set them up but no one ever stopped by. So I guess he had a meeting with imaginary friends! Time to either switch his day care to that Tuesday or have respite come in. If I do that I will start going to the Alzheimer caregiver support group that meets at 5:30. I will have respite come around 3 so I can beat some of the traffic and be home by 7. Normal driving time to where they meet is 20 minutes, but during rush hour can take an hour, even in our small towns.

He is just loosing ground. Even some in the park who he will chat with has noticed his confusion lately. I just sent an email off to his neurologist in Portland. Not a lot she can do but the VA requires he see her at least once every two years to stay as a patient - been 1 1/2 years. Then I will pursue the route the guy at pallative care suggested - talking to his primary about using Veterans Choice Program so see one locally. They guy said he knows of a couple others that see a neurologist locally.

Life goes on!

Yes, I'm feeling really bad about Art. I feel like I know him a little bit from your posts, Charlotte. We know it is inevitable, but still a bummer as the long downward spiral continues.

Just adding to my post, three hours later. Forgot to say that I'm thinking of you two this morning, and sending all kinds of positive thoughts and support through ESP.

So sad this morning. My friend who had ovarian cancer and was paralyzed by the pain med IV in her spine, lost her battle early this morning. Septis set in a couple weeks ago and the doctors could not get it under control. Hurts losing her more because I can't mourn with my hb. We all know the the double loss this disease causes us.

So sorry for your loss, Charlotte.

The last funeral I took DH to was when my 57-year-old brother, the only one of my three brothers I was really close to (and a good friend with DH), died unexpectedly six years ago. All through the service DH kept asking me, "Who died?" Needless to say, I "get" the feeling of not being able to share a loss with your husband.

I'm sorry about your friend, Charlotte.

Charlotte,
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend passing away. I know how hard that can be. I lost one of my best friends to cancer 2 years ago. I miss her so much still and wish that I could talk to her. At the time, my husband seemed to at least know that she died, but once we left the funeral service he quickly forgot. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Paula, a lady I made good friends with 4 years ago when we moved into the RV park, the lady that moved to another park told me at least he made a comment. I told her it was not good. She is not married, (hasn't been for years and that was a short marriage). My text back to her was: being you are use to being single, you have no idea of how long after 46+ years to not have your other half to share with. She took it graciously saying guess she doesn't.

I am doing fine - try not to think of those that have gone on just this year. I have always said 'you know you are getting old when friends and family are dying on regular basis (or seems like it).'