What a variety of hurdles we carers have to overcome. My wife who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2014 goes to bed at about now, 11.30-12.00 ish but will get up several times until maybe 2am so I stay up ready to meet her and put her back to bed. I have medication to help her sleep and medication to keep her calm but she spits it out most of the time and if i try to add it to anything after grinding it down she will say it tastes bad and spit it out too. Unfortunately she can no longer engage in conversation so I have to guess what she is feeling/needs etc., She is unable to even brush her teeth and won't let me do it but her hygienist still manages to clean them every couple of months. Pretty much everything has to be done for her even spoon feeding .
She eats and drinks less and less and has lost weight but still can walk unsteadily with help..
17 months ago we went on a cruise and although she was forgetful and had to be accompanied all the time she could put on her makeup, do her hair, choose clothes, get dressed, feed herself and have a bit of conversation. The speed of deterioration is scary, she does not know my name now or the names of any family/friends and is basically oblivious to what is happening...........all in 17 months!
My concern is that I am keeping her at home for selfish reasons because i don't want to lose her to a care home but maybe in a care home she will get more stimulation and really a better quality of life than a constant one on one with me and family visitors who just confuse her trying to talk with her and grandchildren who she gets agitated around.
Accepting that i would be happy to have my dear wife stay with me at home as long as I can cope am i doing the best thing for her?
She eats and drinks less and less and has lost weight but still can walk unsteadily with help..
17 months ago we went on a cruise and although she was forgetful and had to be accompanied all the time she could put on her makeup, do her hair, choose clothes, get dressed, feed herself and have a bit of conversation. The speed of deterioration is scary, she does not know my name now or the names of any family/friends and is basically oblivious to what is happening...........all in 17 months!
My concern is that I am keeping her at home for selfish reasons because i don't want to lose her to a care home but maybe in a care home she will get more stimulation and really a better quality of life than a constant one on one with me and family visitors who just confuse her trying to talk with her and grandchildren who she gets agitated around.
Accepting that i would be happy to have my dear wife stay with me at home as long as I can cope am i doing the best thing for her?