I have recently been occasionally watching a guy who has dementia. He has early onset dementia, and was only 54 when diagnosed. I was reading the Sticky thread on the stages, and he doesn't seem to fit into any of them. Hi vocabulary is very limited, consisting mainly of Gunsmoke, Ok, and Alright. He is obsessed with the show Gunsmoke, and lays on the couch and watches the DVD over and over again. He always appears to be happy-that is the only emotion he shows.

He doesn't need help w/ a whole lot. He can get dressed, take a shower if he is pointed to the bathroom and told to take one, goes to the bathroom by himself and he can feed himself. Of course he forgets that he has already eaten, so the cupboards have been child-proofed.

I'm sure that watching tv all day, isn't optimal, but that is really what he is happy doing. Is there any harm in this?

If watching TV is what makes him happy I don't see any harm in it. He is getting exercise from his trips to the table and bathroom.

My dad doesn't fit the sticky thread either. He has has Vascular Dementia for almost 8 years now. He can still shower and dress himself though he needs reminders to shower. He is maticulous about shaving and combing his hair. He feeds himself almost too well and yes, he forgets that he has eaten so he raids the kitchen often. He can even still use his watch to tell you what time it is. He is normally in a good mood and easy to divert.... except in the evening when he is sundowning and then his paranoia can cause aggitation and even aggression. He is obcessed with his love for my Mom and wanting to know about his family and how much money he has. He accepts our answers but will ask again a few minutes later. And he enjoys watching football and cartoons. He also has a great sense of humor and even uses word play in his humor. His thought processes sometimes amaze me but he can't remember what he did a few minutes ago....

Mom on the other hand is classic Alzheimer and is rapidly going through the steps stated while being angry, depressed, and sometimes down right mean.

Each person and each dementia is different. You just have to use what you read as a guideline and pay attention to the symptoms and changes you see in the patient.

love, Deb

My DH also has early onset AD, and exhibits many of the behaviors you describe. I found articles that stated that early onset is almost a different form of the disease, and seems to affect the parts of the brain responsible for speech first. DH still has some speech, but it's getting harder and harder.

My DH has become very cheerful, and is also content to watch old favorite tv shows all the time. He smiles a lot too, and he used to be a very grumpy Type A person. I think emotions are too complex and require too much thought.

2-3 years ago, my DH told me that his brain had "holes" in it and that he wasn't really watching the tv show. Sitting in front of a tv doesn't require any activity or thought. He didn't have to figure anything out.

DH's tv time is good, since otherwise he might be restless, try to do chores or wander the house restlessly, which is upsetting to both of us. I do try to get him to get some other exercise, even if it's only walking to the mailbox or picking up sticks in the yard. Sometimes we'll go to the mall early before the stores open to walk. When he is active during the day, he sleeps much, much better at night (which is good for me).

DH will eat a lot too, whenever he goes through the kitchen. He never had much of a sweet tooth before AD, but now he will grab anything sweet that he can. Even though he constantly snacks, he's very slowly losing weight.

Just because the guy you watch appears to be able to take care of his personal care, don't necessarily trust that he's able to still take care of himself. My DH appeared to be doing everything too, but I discovered that he wasn't using soap in the shower, that he wasn't brushing his teeth well anymore (that was a costly discovery!), and that he was wearing my socks (my sock drawer was easier to find I guess). Some AD patients are pretty good at hiding the things they can't do anymore.

Early AD patients are famous for having 'talcum powder' showers (but I showed, see? There's the powder ....... never mind the no water bit)

And of course they washed their toes/back/bum/ etc !!!! (Are YOU gonna check? LOL)

I have found it helpful (if you can) to go in and say "I'll just scrub your back for you" and give them a really good rub down on their back (they love it), at least that way you can prompt them to wash other areas, or wash area's forgotten (oh while I'm down here I'll do your toes ok?)

Same with drying.

dont leave a lot of choices of clothes available to pick from. One or two things in the cupboard is sufficient (if he'll let you). Depends on cognition, depends on how much help he's prepared to accept.

the Sticky by the way, is only a guideline. No hard and fast rules with AD sadly.

Cheers

Hello, Gang. Here's an update on my wife's Pick's situation.

We've finally gone thru all the legal issues and have them well under control.

Again, watching tv seems to be the number one activity. Doesn't really matter what it is. Infomercials work just fine. Also obsessed with doing laundry and walking the dog.

Speech and communication has become very limited. Emotion is almost non-existant. Often loses track of what day of the week it is.

I'm much better, emotionally. Finally on a fairly even plane.

A lady from California contacted me a couple of weeks ago. NOt sure where she got my email address. Anyway. Her husband has FTL - recently diagnosed. She was at a real loss as of what to do. So I've been advising her as best I can as far as the legal issues that need to dealt with. Now she's on her way to getting things taken care of.

Anyone who is new to this: First thing you do is find an attorney to help you protect your assets, property, etc. While you find your way thru the medical maze of this stuff.

Have a good day, all. Kenny

I am so glad to hear from you and know that at least for the time being your life has hit a even flow. One of the things we do need to do is talk to an elder lawyer. Thank you for that validation.

Love you, Deb

Thanks, Deb.

Yes, I certainly sleep a LOT better knowing that my home, cars, assets, etc are protected.

Also. Was talking about this with a group that I sing with at church. And one of the girls has an uncle (who is in long-term care) here that has Pick's...Go figure, small world. Anyway, her aunt had called a left a message for me to give her a call to talk with her about it.

It's great to have several support avenues going. Having one local will be a great help, I'm sure. Not that you all are not wonderful, too.

Anyway. Thanks for the support. Kenny

Dear Kenny,

I'm happy to hear things are giong better for you! God bless you and all caregivers.

Love,

Martha

Just got off the phone with Diane, the lady here who's husband has Pick's. I think we're going to try and start a support group locally for mid-aged caregivers who are dealing with dementia diseases. I'm hearing of several families locally who are going thru this type of thing. She was a wealth of information on how to get through the system here. so I'm sure I'll be talking with her a lot.

Later . k

Hi

I am the woman from California -

my husband was diagnosed with FTD in October...although I have felt something was off for at least a year...they continued to say he was depressed!!! He was in a bad car accident in August - which finally got the drs attention...there was really no reason for him to run into the back of a garbage truck - 45 miles per hour and never hit the breaks...I think he had an FTD moment -and needless to say he had his licensed pulled

It lead to surgery to rebuild his foot and he has not been able to bear weight since the accident...thank goodness he is content with t.v. - anyway we have surgery next week to remove the screws and then no weightbearing for two weeks and then a walking cast....so its been a long haul with lots of emotional ups and downs....but it is nice to know there are others out there dealing with similar diagnosis - Kenny has been a great support to me

Anyway my husband loves t.v. and infomercials too - actually whatever is on and he is actually a pretty content guy most of the time at this point

Kenny has directed me to get my finances etc...in order and thank goodness for that...I have seen a lawyer and things will be getting set up to protect me through this journey...

I am happy to begin to build a community of support....thanks, bev

Hey, Bev. Glad to see you on here. This is a great support group. Take care and have a great day. Kenny