Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Hi- My dad's LBD seems to be in a pretty advanced state, comparatively. Sometimes he walks, often he crawls, and sometimes he's in a wheelchair. He must be fed everything. He hallucinates most of the day. Wears adult diapers occasionally, but can not use the bathroom alone. Needs 1:1 care around the clock. Sleeps no more than a few hours at a time- ever. Right now my mom takes care of him, and has a caregiver provide respite for her several days a week, so that she can get out, volunteer, and participate in worthwhile causes. It seems that my dad's care requirements are more than one person can handle, almost. My question is this- What is the next step, when she can no longer take care of him on her own? Nursing homes dont have one-on-one care to offer. He has been belligerent at times, a side of him that no one has EVER seen. What comes next? He was diagnosed about 3 years ago, but honestly, we all started sensing something was wrong about 10 years ago. This disease just seems so cruel- to everyone involved. I worry about my mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 Hi ? Maybe It sounds like your Dad is in the middle phases of LBD. As for what is next? Everyone is different. My mother is now in a NH and is completely bedridden. They get her up daily to sit in her chair, but she cannot walk, eat, drink or do anything for herself now. So all I can say is the disease can get a lot worse. It is a one day at a time disease. Try not to look too far down the road. Just be thankful for the days that you have with him. As for your mom. She should probably look into getting some help. She needs to take care of herself, so she can be healthy enough to take care of your Dad. There are many alternatives to caring for your Dad. Assisted Living, Residential Care etc... You must do what will fit well for all of you. Keeping your Dad at home is always the best idea as long as you all can stand the daily grind of it. I hope this helps somewhat, but the decisions must come for your Mom at this point. Good luck. Dena So.CA Mother (83) Recently transferred into a NH. At the end phase of LBD, not currently on any meds. --- susansarkisian wrote: > Hi- > My dad's LBD seems to be in a pretty advanced state, > comparatively. > Sometimes he walks, often he crawls, and sometimes > he's in a > wheelchair. He must be fed everything. He > hallucinates most of the > day. Wears adult diapers occasionally, but can not > use the bathroom > alone. Needs 1:1 care around the clock. Sleeps no > more than a few > hours at a time- ever. > > Right now my mom takes care of him, and has a > caregiver provide > respite for her several days a week, so that she can > get out, > volunteer, and participate in worthwhile causes. It > seems that my > dad's care requirements are more than one person can > handle, almost. > > My question is this- What is the next step, when she > can no longer > take care of him on her own? Nursing homes dont > have one-on-one > care to offer. He has been belligerent at times, a > side of him that > no one has EVER seen. What comes next? He was > diagnosed about 3 > years ago, but honestly, we all started sensing > something was wrong > about 10 years ago. > > This disease just seems so cruel- to everyone > involved. I worry > about my mom. > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Thank you from me too. This is good for all of us in this boat. It is most stressful, and yet, my darling isn't even far along yet. He is still quite lucid most of the time. He can still perk up when someone is around, and CYA, so to speak, when trying not to look bad. But, believe me, he has his moments, or days. Imogene Caregiver for my True Texas Gentleman husband of 35 years. He has AD and possibly LBD, is Taking Aricept and Risperdal. Age 72 in May. In a message dated 3/31/2006 6:40:46 PM Central Standard Time, d_j_leavitt@... writes: Hi ? Maybe It sounds like your Dad is in the middle phases of LBD. As for what is next? Everyone is different. My mother is now in a NH and is completely bedridden. They get her up daily to sit in her chair, but she cannot walk, eat, drink or do anything for herself now. So all I can say is the disease can get a lot worse. It is a one day at a time disease. Try not to look too far down the road. Just be thankful for the days that you have with him. As for your mom. She should probably look into getting some help. She needs to take care of herself, so she can be healthy enough to take care of your Dad. There are many alternatives to caring for your Dad. Assisted Living, Residential Care etc... You must do what will fit well for all of you. Keeping your Dad at home is always the best idea as long as you all can stand the daily grind of it. I hope this helps somewhat, but the decisions must come for your Mom at this point. Good luck. Dena So.CA Mother (83) Recently transferred into a NH. At the end phase of LBD, not currently on any meds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2006 Report Share Posted April 17, 2006 Hi , By the time my mom had your dad's symptoms the family had gotten full-time live-in caregiving in her home. One of the caregivers was my sister. She did it full-time for a year and then simply could not do it anymore. It's such a tough job but doubly so when it's your mom or dad or spouse. My brother has been caregiving as well on a part-time basis for nearly four years but recently stepped aside as her condition has worsened to the point where he can no longer get her to eat. We are trying to keep Mom in her house to the end if possible. Her retirement income, investment income and health insurance allow all of this to be paid for with her own funds thankfully. Our hope is that with the one-on-one care in her home, Mom won't have a problem like choking go unnoticed. She is no longer at a stage where she could ring a call button for help and she does choke at times. We have also recently added a visiting nurse, speech therapist and physical therapist to the list of support caregivers. These are covered by health insurance. Soon we will be adding hospice to the crew. I hope this helps answer your questions. Anne > > Hi- > My dad's LBD seems to be in a pretty advanced state, comparatively. > Sometimes he walks, often he crawls, and sometimes he's in a > wheelchair. He must be fed everything. He hallucinates most of the > day. Wears adult diapers occasionally, but can not use the bathroom > alone. Needs 1:1 care around the clock. Sleeps no more than a few > hours at a time- ever. > > Right now my mom takes care of him, and has a caregiver provide > respite for her several days a week, so that she can get out, > volunteer, and participate in worthwhile causes. It seems that my > dad's care requirements are more than one person can handle, almost. > > My question is this- What is the next step, when she can no longer > take care of him on her own? Nursing homes dont have one-on-one > care to offer. He has been belligerent at times, a side of him that > no one has EVER seen. What comes next? He was diagnosed about 3 > years ago, but honestly, we all started sensing something was wrong > about 10 years ago. > > This disease just seems so cruel- to everyone involved. I worry > about my mom. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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