Concerning symptom #4 ... Two years ago my husband totally forgot to pay bills. This was something he had always done. I didn't know this until almost 3 months later (what a mess). YET, whenever we go somewhere and eat at a new/unfamiliar restaurant, he is able to find his way to the restroom (perhaps he asks directions) and then find his way back to wherever we are sitting. I stopped letting him drive 2 years ago (a very difficult time) by telling him the medication the doctor had him taking was the reason.
Mine sends donations to everyone and his brother. We talk about sending money to only the ones he has a connection with and making a list of a few worthwhile causes, but he still will write checks, sometimes immediately after a previous donation. I've taken to removing the donation requests from the desk; he doesn't miss them and we save a lot of money each month. I have to check his bank account and tell him balances because he can't keep his checkbook anymore. This is a guy who was the household "accountant".
My husband got us into incredible financial trouble before I realized his brain was sick. Didn’t pay bills either, and did all the scams. Grandiose business deals that failed. Unbelievable, dealing with dementia without money.
My mother passed away with FTD in 2013. I had never heard of this before. Later as we read and tried to understand what this was, we saw that mom had all of these symptoms for 5-8 years before she died. My sisters and I took very good care of her in the last 3-5 months. It was so sad to watch her disappear within herself. We were able to laugh at moments, the one most remembered was she would call dad ‘that old man’. I live in fear of having and dying from dementia.
My late husband qualified for complete services when he was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia. He was 58. He immediately got SSI, qualified for Medicare early, got into dementia care community programs. He stayed on my medical insurance since I was still working at the time. It was all helpful.
Thank you! I am curious to learn more about the loss of sense of smell. My 78 yr old mother recently had an MRI brain scan and the neurologist said the results show vascular dementia. The interesting thing is that back in 2019 she had suddenly lost her sense of smell and taste. She saw a neurologist and and had a scan but they never found out why. And it's not that she can't tell smells apart, she can't smell ANYTHING. She can taste spicy heat, salt and pepper, but no sweet or flavor of any kind. It's totally stumped everyone.
Lost Sense of smell, random memory. Some technology helps these, smoke, gas sensors, reminders via smart phones, etc. But, that only goes so far in helping someone in decline. Thanks for these, it’s a learning process for caregivers.
Dr. Natali, Thank you for another great video. Please do a part 3. Thank you for pointing out that people with early onset dementia are not able to qualify for many of the services that older people with dementia do. This needs to change, and many of us will have to push very hard to make this a reality.
I’m watching because my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about a year ago. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 8 years ago, and the loss of my sense of small was one of the symptoms that led to a correct diagnosis. Most people with Parkinson’s can’t smell. It’s a running joke in my Rock Steady Boxing class that it’s a good thing we can’t smell each other after an intense 1 1/2 hour workout!
Yes, yes, yes. Please do a Part 3. Thank you for all your valuable information that isn’t readily available to those of us who have a loved one with dementia. 💗💗💗
What a relief to know my mom's condition, where she KNEW I was replaced by an uncaring -itch, was long over due. None of her specialists ever said that word to me as I struggled to describe her behavior. Thankfully she had only this symptom from this grouping.
Yes, please, part 3. Did you mention getting stuck in a loop. Or stuttering (when never did before) Also wondering about compulsively “collecting things” or “shopping” as friends have called it is a symptom.
This “shopping”happened in my husbands early diagnosis of vascular dementia. He would bring favorite pics, items and display them in his bedroom. Interesting.
The random remembering symptom that my loved one experiences is the symptom that makes *me* feel like I'm the paranoid one who needs a caregiver - lol - seriously, she can't remember the simplest things, but can nail others. Sometimes my husband and I joke that we're being punked.
Age-this is what my husband is facing. He is only 50 something, and isn't qualify to day care center due to his age. I can just see him getting worse and worse and can't do a thing
Just as in the first part, I see at least two of these in hindsight. Thank you so much for the continuing education; I learn so much from your compassionate care.
I so much appreciate all your videos. They have been a lifeline for me. I watched my dad go through the stages of dementia 10 years ago and now my husband. I'd love a part 3 as well.
Thank you for this its very helpful! My Mom has loss of smell and her eyes and hearing loss are getting worse. Is this because of dementia? She is 89. Part 3 would be most helpful! 🙏🏼💕
There are so many trails that my wife goes down so are very predictable and some are random. She can remember some of the most non essential things but at the same time can’t remember to move her feet from in front of the the wheelchair wheels. She can’t answer her phone one moment and the next send a text.
Cannot get diagnosis or help if the person is in denial, is aggressive and lies. How do you address this? Doctor will not talk with you if patient won't approve it.....just wait for it to reach plateau?
I've spent the last 5 months ať my parents house taking care of them mainly because of my moms dementia. I think She thinks Im an imposter. She doesnt remember when She was Born, when And if She ate, And shes really losing her language. In adition to being very hard of hearing, She hears completely different words than the ones we're saying to her. I'll say banana And she'll repeat bubmle bee. She repeats the question "what's this?" as She points at objects, seemingly because she forgets what they're called. The loss of her language Is even more disturbing than the loss of her memory.
My best friend was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 45. She passed within 3 years. It’s a terrible disease but to see it in the younger groups is shocking but it does happen unfortunately 😢
My dad has approached Capgras before, but it has only happened a couple of times. Since I started suspecting dementia (well before the diagnosis of Frontaltemporal), I started checking if he knew who I was and what I am to him (mostly watching out for completely forgetting who I am). A couple of times he referred to me as another person with my name "the other ". Like he thinks there are two of me (I'm an only child). Not really thinking I am an imposter...more a different . It did not specifically lead to hostility from him....that came in other forms. I'm part of a support group on Mastodon for caregivers. One of the people in the support group is taking care of their son, who is in their 30's I believe, who has Dementia as well as a couple of other conditions including migraines. When I first heard her story, it surprised me that someone so young could come down with it.
My father had dementia in his late 80s. He had a caregiver who was a younger woman and very friendly to him. One time he told me that she had an evil twin that took her place and acted bad.
My wife has Capgras and it’s like having a second family and friends with us 24/7. The frustration is heavily on both of us - she interacts naturally and I can’t see or “hear” nothing.
Yes my mom who has dementia has cap gras syndrome. My mom thinks there is another lady just like me with a different name. We have always been close so this has been hard to deal with . Anyway thanks for the video and information.
My mom also thinks I'm another women who helps her. I'm the one who sings with her too. I'm often that woman who is mean to her. None of what my mom thinks about me is surprising or disturbing because of what I've learned from Dr. Natali and the Careblazer support group. Being an active member of Careblazers the past 18 months has helped me manage caring for my parents who both have many layers and levels of Alzheimer's Dementia between the two of them.
Hi there, Thanks for sharing. 💖 Here is a related video you may find helpful with information about Capgras: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NxkD1xrNvMU.html
@@DementiaCareblazers thank you for sharing that video. Very helpful ,definitely one that I will need to refer back too. I work at going with the flow on the conversations with my Mom. The conversations are very very simple . I treasure the happy days when she does know me. It's harder to deal with when her anger is in full display. I still do my best to stay calm and redirect if I can.
My wife had frequent migraines several years before the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease was established. However once that was confirmed the headaches almost completely subsided. I would conclude that the migraines may have been the result of changes in the brain before other signs and symptoms surfaced.
Hi @stevenblack3092 Thanks for your question. Here are a couple videos that you may find helpful: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lq1a8LY2ZNw.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jhgKhiWB8_8.html
Sorry to digress, but I just noticed in the automatic subtitles that Capgras Syndrome came up as catcrawl syndrome, which made me laugh. Thanks for these videos. They are very interesting.
Ok. So now you have me worried about myself as well. Lol... what about smelling smoke , like cigarette smoke or paper smoke when there is no smoke. Doesn't happen all the time but some days several times a day or all day. Is that an early sign of dementia?
Victoria, my wife has Parkinson’s and this a common olfactory hallucination ( smelling smoke ) usually happens first thing in the morning. Not to frighten you but maybe get checked by a neurologist.
Hi @victoriagoins5250 You can learn more about the early warning signs of dementia by clicking the link below. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rTpbtyW8GWA.html
I get this phantom cigarette smoke smell after or during a sinus infection. My ent doctor says it’s a sign of damaged nerves that constitute your sense of smell . It goes away when my sinuses heal.
I have my mother living with me . We had to move into a bigger apartment. She was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's. Do I need to ask what kind of dementia she has? She is 84 and I think she had it for awhile before being diagnosed. I have started a support group once a month. I haven't told her that I have I just say I'm going to an appointment. Do you think I should tell her? I just don't want her to feel bad. Please keep up the part 4 & 5... It surely helps. Thank you😊
Thank you for this video, and the others in this series. You have triggered a question re smell - sadly my sister, along with her dementia (I believe alcohol induced), has become incontinent and has an aversion to bathing. She doesn't seem to notice her personal odour, which is so significant none of the other residents inn her retirement home will go near her. So in addition to dementia she is ostracized. She does not seem to notice her own body odour. Is that part of the olfactory symptom you refer to?
Thank you Dr. Natali ! The symptoms you share are always interesting and sometimes relatable. I find my LO’s “Random Remembering” peculiar and funny at the same time. I just go with it! My LO has excellent smell! It’s better than mine, always has been. 😀 I’m curious about a couple behaviors . My LO is very selfish not giving a single thought of anyone else , it’s all about him. . Also having zero patience and using bad words they never did before. Are these personalities changes another symptom?
Hi @mikeg9b Thanks for reaching out. Here is a video with some information you may find helpful: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BCbm9iwJmlo.html
Can they know exactly who someone is and an hour later have not a single clue? Or even within minutes? Or can they think one of their grandchildren were adopted because they are mixed race? Sometimes I think my mom is trying to get a rise out of me, because that was in her nature her whole life to say things that were hurtful, but not say them in a mean way, and then play dumb amd victim to you being upset. I could understand if she couldn't remember a person coming to see her, but she remembered them coming an hour after they left, even their name, but couldn't remember their connection to her. But she knew while that person was visiting. And then she said, "he was adopted wasn't he," regarding my son who is mixed race. She said she thought he was because his skin was brown. She hasn't seen my son is 6 weeks. Knew his name, knew everything else about him. But suddenly she can't fathom that I gave birth to him. She was in the room when he was born. And I just get the sense that this was an act.
My husband has complained for a couple n of years that he can't smell. He has never had COVID so I am thinking it is a symptom of his dementia. One thing I have been wondering about is a constant turning I ff lights, shutting doors and unplugging things. Is this just trying to control because he feels out of control. It is very frustrating.
Yes my dad has no smell. I assumed he must’ve had covid a few years ago but he did say he was never diagnosed with covid so maybe this is the cause. Also he definitely has random remembering.
My LO with dementia has a wonderful sense of smell.Smells things much before we realise, but sense of taste is so badly affected that even water tastes different.Water intake is only when medicines are given.Tried giving juice and other liquids but hasnt worked. is this common ?
Hi @hb7282 Thanks for your question. I'm sharing some related videos that you may find helpful: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-25rqpX63ja4.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CNoukSCvifE.html
Hi Dr Natali, With the lose of smell, that happens to be a symptom of Covid and long haul covid.. So if I have a person who has dementia how do I know if it’s related to covid or to dementia.. especially if it’s post long term covid? When do we know? Thank you in advance 😊
Now I'm worried. After an ear infection I lost my sense of smell. I have seen specialist and there is nothing they can do for me to regain my sense of smell.
A person under 65 would not be able to access Medicare unless they could qualify for disability. (You can also get Medicare under age 65 for End Stage Renal Disease and ALS.) Getting on disability might be difficult if the person with dementia is not cooperative or there are other problems. Under the best of circumstances, getting on disability can take some time. Also, some programs for aging that would help any person with dementia require that you be at least a certain age or be on Medicare. One example is Area Agency on Aging (AAA) programs requiring you be at least 60 years of age. (There will be some AAA programs with under 60 age exceptions, like Caregivers Programs and for people who have Medicare to use SHIP, Benefits Counseling.) There are many other examples of strictly age and sometimes age or Medicare requirements for resources in other agencies and non-profits.