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I’m wondering if any one is noticing a dramatic change in their loved ones behavior? I don’t know if it’s a natural progression in my husband's AD or the result of the change in routine because of the coronavirus. I try to limit the TV but must admit so much has happened at once in my house that’s my head is spinning so I don’t see how his isn’t either . At the beginning of this scare he saw me fall down the stairs in the house , after which one child stayed with him while the other took me to the orthopedic surgeon . Luckily it was just torn ligaments in my ankle and not my hip ( God was watching ) but I am in a boot and hobbling around . Also , even tho we are trying to social distance to the best of our ability , the kids are taking shifts as I’m not allowed to take the stairs or walk the dog and a physical therapist is coming to the house a few times a week . Oh my , as I’m writing this I may be answering my own question . He sometimes understands what’s going on and sometimes looks at my foot and can’t figure out why I’m wearing a boot, why someone is sleeping over , why groceries are being delivered, why we’re washing out hands constantly ..............
But he is definitely sleeping less,
imagining things happening that really aren’t , becoming more incontinent and I even took his razor away and bought an electric one as he cuts himself now every time he shaves .
Anyway thanks to this wonderful site I already feel better .

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Those people of lucid mind arise for the day and remember that the current state of worldwide affairs is not a bad dream, Those not of lucid mind may not be able to focus on it. I do not live with my Alzheimer's sister in law and I do not want to make assumptions, but those with Alzheimer's of course have a diseased brain.
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Yes in the beginning we watched much to much newscasts. Now the news is never on while my husband is present. We listen to a lot of music like golden oldies to sing along. Thank you for asking. I feel not so alone. It’s so upsetting for them and not to understand. Good luck and stay healthy
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Nursing facilities in NY state have not allowed visitors since March 13th. In addition, residents must have all of their meals in their rooms and all activities have been canceled. You can send emails that are printed and taken to residents and you can schedule a window visit and use a phone to talk. They are also scheduling Skype visits. My 95 year old mother is definitely declining mentally as a result of these measures. It’s like solitary confinement! No one to have meals with or talk to or just sit next to for company.
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My husband and I visited my mom yesterday by sitting out in the yard while she sat on the porch of her assisted living home. She over and over wondered why we wouldn't come up on the porch. We told her there was a virus and we didn't want her to catch it. That made no sense to her. We had been told that she's the only resident in this very small facility who does not know what's going on and is therefore the happiest person. By the end of our visit my mom expressed that she didn't want anything to happen to me, for me to be really careful, and then I felt bad about the visit, that it upset her more than comforted her. They are getting the gardens ready in the back yard and side yard, finding more and more ways to entertain the residents, and they are taking really good care of her. I suppose I should just leave them to it and stop trying to somehow visit my mom. I'm maybe doing it for myself more than for her? But to answer your question, yes, I do see changes in her. She seems much more confused, not just about my visit, but also saying that she doesn't know what she's supposed to be doing with herself. I kept reminding her of her little stuffed dog. Then she'd pick it up and hug it to her chest and give it a kiss. The staff is not allowed to give hugs now. OMG. People need to be touched. It makes me cry
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Another unintended consequence, as we treat the symptoms, yet kill the patient. The panic has make even normally sane people irrational, afraid of their own shadows.
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My Mom's nursing home called me saying that Mom was showing more aggression/agitation. They upped her Zyprexa in hopes that it would settle her back down a bit. They had recently reduced the dosage before the lockdown on the home. Might want to check into something like that? Very thankful to hear you did not break a leg or hip. I know the boot is a pain but at least you can be somewhat mobile. Prayers for you and yours during this trying time.
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All the changes to his routine are frustrating for him since he probably can't understand the "why" behind them. Try to maintain as much of his routine as you can. Less changes in routines will help him to settle into this new "normal".

When people come to visit, they should wear masks. Everybody should wash hands frequently and wipe down "high tough surfaces" with a rag soaked in bleach water. You do not need to wear a mask or social distance from your husband.
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Yes I can see my mom has gotten a lot worse. She is 84, with lewy body dementia in a nursing home. I used to go 5 days out of 7 . She needs to be fed, she does not understand much of anything anymore but she always knew me and would smile when she saw me and I could have a tiny bit of conversation with her. Now when I see her on facetime she is either in bed with her eyes closed looking half dead or they have brought her down to a door and I see her behind the glass where I can talk to her but I get no response, she does not open her eyes, she looks like she aged 20 years since I saw her last. I am so afraid she is going to pass away in there alone and we won't even get to have a proper funeral. Maybe its a blessing she does not know what is going on because she would be so worried but I can really see that she has gone downhill from not getting enough stimulation. The nursing home is short staffed as a lot of the workers either do not want to come in for fear of getting the disease or they may be at home sick  So my mom seems to be left in bed a lot. They tell me she is still eating. She is on pureed foods as she was forgetting to swallow. Its all so scary and I have so much anxiety over this, I just pray this is over soon so I can see her again but I am afraid we will be told to stay away at least till May or June or possibly longer.
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xrayjodib Mar 2020
Hang in there Blue!!
Sending hugs and prayers!!
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Elasagna, please heal quickly and keep us updated on your situation! >>>>>((((hugs)))))).

That's a socially distanced hug!
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Somethingelsa,
I had just posted a question about dementia and shelter in place before I saw your question.
I care for my Aunt while in Montana. She is in California!
Her ALF has been on total isolation for 2 weeks .
I have noticed that she had become increasingly confused.
She has started asking about going home again. She is stressed over her belongings. These issues had decreased tremendously over the last 2 months , but are now at her forefront!
I think because she has nothing else to occupy her mind, her mind has gone back to what is familiar.
It doesn't seem to matter that she has been told that her home has been sold and all of her belongings are safe, she now seems consumed with worry.
I am praying that once she can resume what had been her normal activities, she will settle in again.
I have come to equate any change in a dementia patients routine, is like moving furniture on a blind person. It throws their world upside down! When what is familiar and safe has been changed, they have to struggle to navigate!
Our loved ones Dementia is never going to get better, however, praying that they can get back to some sense of normality!
God bless!
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Somethingelsa Mar 2020
Well our routine has certainly changed and we did have a set schedule to our day . You put that very well . I’m hoping when I’m able to get back to being myself and , even tho I love and need the help from my family , the house is quiet again he will improve . If not then it’s just a deep breath , a new stage , and we adapt and accept and get through this too . Thanks.
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I am not really qualified to answer this but wanted to say how sorry I am that you are going through this suffering.

The only person that I have been close to with Alzheimer’s was my godmother. She lived in a nursing home towards the end of her life. She also went blind from macular degeneration.

She went through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans which was devastating in 2005. She did not even know there was a hurricane. She thought the nursing home was taking her on a ‘road trip’ during the evacuation. She truly wasn’t aware of the catastrophe.

So who knows how much a person truly understands. I think it depends on the stage of the disease and so forth.
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I'm so sorry you injured yourself, as all the rest wasn't enough :(
This is such a hard time for everyone, things will go better, they have to! And yes, thanks God you didn't break your leg.

I did notice more memory problems with my mom and some confusion. She watches the news a lot, there's no way to stop her. She also didn't sleep well recently, but I'm not worrying too much, I noticed in the past that when she's stressed these things occurr, but so far they've all went back to normal when the stress passed.
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Somethingelsa Mar 2020
Thank you for understanding and also giving me hope that when ( if ?) this is all over he may improve .
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