Hi everyone. Brand now to this forum . My husband was diagnosed June 24th last year.

Nanz

New member
Feb 24, 2021
1
0
It took me months to get over the shock but I think I am coping right now. His anxiety is getting worse although he is on hold back medication. Most nights he gets up at least twice for a few hours mostly going out and walking which i get up and go with him. He doesnt want to know anything about Dementia which i understand so i have read everything i can find. Any advice on how to help him with his anxiety would be great . Thankyou
 

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,455
0
Kent
Hello @Nanz Welcome to Dementia Talking Point.

How long do you think you will be able to function getting up most nights with your husband and going out walking with him? This level of anxiety sounds harmful for both of you.

My husband used to go out and I followed him because he didn`t want me with him. It was usually early evening when he was sundowning and I don`t know how I would have been if it had been in the middle of the night.

I`m no medic but can only see medication as a way to help with your husband`s anxiety. Others may have better suggestions.
 

karaokePete

Registered User
Jul 23, 2017
6,534
0
N Ireland
Hello @Nanz, and welcome from me too. I hope you find the forum to be a friendly and supportive place.

I know what you mean about taking time to get over the shock of diagnosis as I felt the same when my wife was diagnosed - it's actually called 'anticipatory grief'. I found that getting to work finding information helped me through that and I hope you have time to take a good look around the site as it is a goldmine for information. When I first joined I read old threads for information but then found the AS Publications list and the page where a post code search can be done to check for support services in ones own area, when things get back to normal. If you are interested in these, clicking the following links will take you there

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-factsheets-full-list

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you

You will see that there are Factsheets that will help with things like getting care needs assessments, deciding the level of care required and sorting out useful things like Wills, Power of Attorney etc., if any of that hasn't already been done. There is also a Dementia Guide in the list.

Now that you have found us I hope you will keep posting as the membership has vast collective knowledge and experience.
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
25,018
0
South coast
Anxiety is very common with dementia.
They are often aware that Something is wrong, but are unable to understand that this Something is actually them. An antidepressant/anti-anxiety medication can often help and (depending on what is prescribed) can sometimes help with the sleeping too.