My husband (who was much older than me) began his trip down Alzheimer’s Lane by exhibiting major changes in his personal and grooming habits. He quit shaving his neck, and combed his hair straight forward, instead of off to the side. He let his nails grow long, and quit showering.
The shower was the hardest part (along with the incontinence) to deal with. He became combative when I tried to shower him every three or four days. I had to have someone with me, for fear he would attack me. (He had always been a very gentle man.)
I finally had to have a professional care-giver come twice a week to shower him, and it was always a fight.
He started two microwaves on fire, would open the door in the middle of the night, and leave it open, he constantly turned on the airconditioner to it’s coldest, then turned the heat all the way up.
I found that the best way to handle the situation was to let him know he was safe. And I always kept him well groomed, as they DO have ‘moments’ of cognizance. I wanted him to know that he was being well cared for.
The incontinance was the hardest (and the longest) part of his illness, and became a twice a day occurance. I had to have carpet cleaners here every week, and had to have
carpet removed in the bedroom, with linoleum installed.
I could not leave him with a care-giver as he trusted no one but me, and would be combative with them.
This illness is so painful to watch in it’s progression. Every day they seem to lose a little bit more of who they are.
I recommend becoming an Alzheimer’s Caregiver, as you will learn many ways to deal with unsuspecting problems, as they arise.
Finally, you might want to try singing instead of talking. For some reason, it seems easier for them to comprehend a melodious tone, rather than speech.
Good luck, FRiend. The road ahead is long and hard.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, yorkie. That is going to be very helpful as will other things on this thread. Bookmarked for sure.
I didn’t know we both traveled this road.
One thing that has helped greatly is a family newsletter that I make up on my computer. Having something to read gives them news at their own rate, and is available for the often-repeated questions.
I make a newsletter up every week - - and one just before we travel somewhere.
We also learned to give my Dad coffee (bribery: donut) two hours before we travel anywhere. The coffee has him going to the bathroom before we leave, so we have no messes for hours.