Some thoughts
Feel a bit cheeky posting here, since my experience of Alzheimer's comes from my Mother's illness, but some of the lessons learned may be applicable.
The biggest practical thing that I've learned is
make changes early, don't put them off! As the disease has progressed Mum has less and less insight into her condition and her husband's (ie my Dad's) state of health, and has become more and more resistant to change. (Gather from reading up on the disease and from browsing Talking Point that this is typical). For example I just had a MAJOR fight about getting a carer in to cook evening meals. I insisted because Dad took a fall last week, while I was here, getting something out of the oven. Mum insisting not needed.
So, consider having a carer or cleaner come in now - even if you don't really need them. Even it's only for half an hour once or twice a week. I think it would be so much easier to expand hours at a later date, than to try to introduce a stranger into the house at a later date.
Did your husband take care of the finances? If so, make sure you know details of the various accounts. If he is the one with on-line access for home banking and you've previously left him to it, then get your own access and start learning.
Get gas, electricity, water and such like into your name now, if they are not already.
If you've played with the idea of down sizing to a smaller, more manageable house - do it now. It will only get more difficult if you put it off. Small is good for maintenance and the like.
Does your husband accept the diagnosis? Massive help if he does. Plenty of good stuff from the Alzheimer's Society for both of you - see the Memory Handbook for example.
Has he been offered Cognitive Stimulus therapy? Local Memory Clinic recommended it strongly and quoted good evidence for it. Of. Of course my Mum rejected it
Have you been contacted by the local AS with offer of a home visit? Do accept it! Based on my experience these are good people with lots of experience and ideas.
What activities does your husband enjoy? Can you and he choose current activities that can be modified, but continued, in the future? Let me try and explain what I mean .... My Mum was on the committee of her local historical society, and loves visiting National Trust properties but (looking back) we were too slow to adjust once she got the MCI diagnosis. She gave up on evening meetings because my Father found driving to them too difficult. Why or why didn't we try to find a fellow member who could give her a lift to society meetings? Why didn't we push her to join the local NT group so she (and they) could get used to her going on outings, and then continue this as her condition worsened. Because we did none of these things she now only gets out if I drive her.
It's a steep learning curve that we all have to go through. Very best of luck to both of you!
Tufty
