Hi everyone,has anyone else found their loved one only wants to be with them, this is what has started to happen with Susie,I am only confidant if she is with my daughters or myself. Also, as she can not concentrate on anything, she gets upset and agitated if we don't go for a ride everyday,I feel so guilty of an evening seeing her sat there not even enjoying the TV,and not being able to do anything,I am constantly asking if she is ok,why is life so cruel to these lovely people. I am curious if there is any thing available like a small badge,with Alzheimer's Carer, for all of us to wear,saving embarrassment to our loved one's when we shop, dine or just take them out,Plus it may make the public more aware exactly how many people actually suffer this dreadfull illness,as they will see it all the time.
Update on my Susie
- Thread starter pete kelly
- Start date
Hi Pete,
It's awful not being able to stimulate any interest isn't it. My mum was the same and like your Susie, she got very agitated if my dad wasn't around. Although she tolerated my sister and I looking after her, she still wanted my dad there.
Re the badges, I've not heard of a carer's badge, but AS have pin badges for sale:
http://www.alzheimerssocietyshop.co...ypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=55&category_id=6
I had one but forgot to take it off when I put my jersey in the wash and it broke! Must get another.
Take care xx
It's awful not being able to stimulate any interest isn't it. My mum was the same and like your Susie, she got very agitated if my dad wasn't around. Although she tolerated my sister and I looking after her, she still wanted my dad there.
Re the badges, I've not heard of a carer's badge, but AS have pin badges for sale:
http://www.alzheimerssocietyshop.co...ypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=55&category_id=6
I had one but forgot to take it off when I put my jersey in the wash and it broke! Must get another.
Take care xx
I know what you mean. Mum used to be so capable and independant. However, since the illness took hold she will not step outside the front door without someone. As it is, this is a positive thing because we know she will not wander off.
When I go to visit a couple of times a week, her face lights up like she hasn't seen me for months, not a matter of a couple of days.
When I go to visit a couple of times a week, her face lights up like she hasn't seen me for months, not a matter of a couple of days.
Hi Pete,
We had a thread about this kind of behaviour not too long ago that you might want to look at:
http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?t=21808&highlight=shadowing
It seems to be a phase of insecurity, sort of like the 'separation anxiety' that young children can have when they don't have a loved and trusted person nearby.
Some people with dementia can find comfort in a sort of 'security blanket' type object - a stuffed animal, a piece of fabric or even a handful of tissues.
I think it's natural that you pick up on her anxiety and it could make you feel anxious also. Most people reach a point where known family members find it almost impossible to do all of the care 24/7 without a break. They realise that to enable them to continue to do the bulk of the caring in the long run, other people will have to become involved in some aspects of caring.
I think that Vonny's suggestion of the pin badge is a really good one.
The Alzheimer's Society also offer these free Helpcards that people with dementia can carry with them and use at times when they might need assistance:
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=200192&documentID=360
(you can see the Alzheimer's Scotland version here: http://www.alzscot.org/downloads/helpcard.pdf)
But I really think that Alzheimer's Australia has a good idea in its Companion Card that they describe as:
http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?infopageid=980
I think it might be possible to make a version of that type of wallet-sized card and carry it with you.
The fact that your wife is such a young person with dementia could well be part of the reason people do not connect her behaviour with Alzheimer's. Until I spent time on TP, I don't think I had any awareness of the number of young people with dementia and how different their symptoms could be from that of older suffers.
Also, have you made contact with your local branch of the Alzheimer's Society? They can often be another excellent source of information, especially local information and support:
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/custom_scripts/branch.php?branch=true&branchCode=14534
Take care,
We had a thread about this kind of behaviour not too long ago that you might want to look at:
http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?t=21808&highlight=shadowing
It seems to be a phase of insecurity, sort of like the 'separation anxiety' that young children can have when they don't have a loved and trusted person nearby.
Some people with dementia can find comfort in a sort of 'security blanket' type object - a stuffed animal, a piece of fabric or even a handful of tissues.
I think it's natural that you pick up on her anxiety and it could make you feel anxious also. Most people reach a point where known family members find it almost impossible to do all of the care 24/7 without a break. They realise that to enable them to continue to do the bulk of the caring in the long run, other people will have to become involved in some aspects of caring.
I think that Vonny's suggestion of the pin badge is a really good one.
The Alzheimer's Society also offer these free Helpcards that people with dementia can carry with them and use at times when they might need assistance:
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=200192&documentID=360
(you can see the Alzheimer's Scotland version here: http://www.alzscot.org/downloads/helpcard.pdf)
But I really think that Alzheimer's Australia has a good idea in its Companion Card that they describe as:
http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?infopageid=980
I think it might be possible to make a version of that type of wallet-sized card and carry it with you.
The fact that your wife is such a young person with dementia could well be part of the reason people do not connect her behaviour with Alzheimer's. Until I spent time on TP, I don't think I had any awareness of the number of young people with dementia and how different their symptoms could be from that of older suffers.
Also, have you made contact with your local branch of the Alzheimer's Society? They can often be another excellent source of information, especially local information and support:
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/custom_scripts/branch.php?branch=true&branchCode=14534
Take care,
