Hi... asking for more advice and support !
My wife, now only 66, has young onset Alzheimer's. She has been in a care home for 8 months now and despite my real grief at placing her (not to mention the guilt) she has done well and settled in a few days. She has been a lot less agitated than at home as the routine and constant company seemed to improve her well being.
But in the last few weeks she has become very tearful She has taken to walking the corridors and sometimes crying as she does so. She is pleased to see me and cheers up, but then gets very tearful when it is time for me to go and asks to come with me. This is new as previously I could just fade out. She does not know my name or who I am to her (she calls me the 'nice man') but does retain some sense that I am special. She remembers two of our three kids and a long time helper I have but that is about it. She cannot recall anything really about her life or family and does not know where she is.
The Care Home want to get a Psychiatrist to see her - there is a local person they like who is good on dementia they say - and I am going to assist with this appointment.
But any ideas? It is really heart breaking and I leave the home in tears myself. I am visiting most days, but worry I am making things worse - is it better to back off for a bit? Can someone living with dementia suddenly get some memory back- like my OH seems to suddenly know she should be living with me?
As always, any help gratefully received.
My wife, now only 66, has young onset Alzheimer's. She has been in a care home for 8 months now and despite my real grief at placing her (not to mention the guilt) she has done well and settled in a few days. She has been a lot less agitated than at home as the routine and constant company seemed to improve her well being.
But in the last few weeks she has become very tearful She has taken to walking the corridors and sometimes crying as she does so. She is pleased to see me and cheers up, but then gets very tearful when it is time for me to go and asks to come with me. This is new as previously I could just fade out. She does not know my name or who I am to her (she calls me the 'nice man') but does retain some sense that I am special. She remembers two of our three kids and a long time helper I have but that is about it. She cannot recall anything really about her life or family and does not know where she is.
The Care Home want to get a Psychiatrist to see her - there is a local person they like who is good on dementia they say - and I am going to assist with this appointment.
But any ideas? It is really heart breaking and I leave the home in tears myself. I am visiting most days, but worry I am making things worse - is it better to back off for a bit? Can someone living with dementia suddenly get some memory back- like my OH seems to suddenly know she should be living with me?
As always, any help gratefully received.