Absolutely - it has stuffed up our plans too - specially now with the incontinence issue - wouldn't like that to happen in our campervan ..... I've bought waterproof fitted sheets for the house, the camper & a spare set to take with us when we visit others (like this weekend away) with lots of towels and a yoga mat to put under the towel to make absolutely sure nothing will leak thru to the sheets & mattress ..... and that is whilst wearing pads/pull-ups that are supposed to be leak proof! NOT!
I can't even imagine how I got him to Mexico & back 4 years ago (with his twin brother) to compete in the Triathlon World Champs! He'd already been diagnosed as 'early stage' about 5 years before. No way could they travel on their own .... tho I know his brother still likes to think he will ......
It is more than just being 'forgetful' - it is picking up on 'questionable decision making' which, in hindsight, started a good 10 years+ ago ..... picking up on repetitive comments, the same story being told time & time again - all these things can indicate early onset dementia.
There IS some medication that may regress the speed of development but sadly, hubby has a heart murmur & is unable to take it.
The '20 questions' (usually the same question) gets a bit tedious even now, but they are not doing it on purpose. Every day, he asks "Are we still in lockdown?" So now I just say 'yes' - it is easier.
We've just been away for the weekend with 5 other couples (really good triathlon buddies who he trained up to Ironman) & I think they were really surprised at the deterioration even since our last group outing together in May. All week, he couldn't remember where we were going, with whom - but luckily recognised most when we got there. But he was terribly 'restless' all weekend as he was out of his normal routine and this showed itself in his incontinence issues.
He is also getting very frail & whereas ten years ago, he used to compete in Ironman and Half Ironman, now he often stumbles when just walking down the street or even in the house. He over balances when getting up from a seated position ..... He tripped on the weekend whilst walking to town for dinner - luckily I was holding his arm, so prevented him going down face first, tho he still ended up on the pavement, I was able to slow it & my buddies tried to grab him as well to break the fall - no injury, thank goodness.
He can't use his iPad or mobile phone any more - he just can't remember what to do! I have a heap of notes written all over the house, to remind him of things ..... his brother's phone number (and mine,) Drs appointments etc
He is no longer driving or riding his bike on the road - it was just too dangerous to others. So I have to plan my day to drop him at the swimming pool, do a 1hr shop & pick him up .....
My girlfriend's dad was diagnosed in his 50s. He went from being a highly organised sheep/wheat farmer - to being tied in a 'child harness' when his wife had to take him shopping with her as she couldn't leave him alone on the farm. It was just horrible to watch the slow decline & can only imagine how hard it was for his wife.
Agreed @June1952 - it is a bit like BC - until you've been thru it yourself, you really have no idea.
I only learned about the incontinence nurse tip yesterday - so if anyone has ANY tips about ANYTHING from looking after a friend or family member - please whack 'em here.
Being thankful for small mercies - I am just so lucky that he isn't aggressive or 'suggestive'. Many lose all sense of propriety/inhibition & are known to make inappropriate comments & suggestions to members of the opposite sex (or same sex if so inclined) .... or they wander off and you have to call the police to find them! :(
At this point in time, I can still duck out for a few hours of 'me time' so I can go fishing or to Ukulele - but I don't know how much longer for! Every day could be my last day ....
