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In fact, lately he can change behaviors several times within one day. Could this mean his dementia is progressing? I know the disease will progress, just wondering if this is a sign he may be going into the next stage. He appears appears to be in the moderate stage from what I have been reading about the stage levels and behaviours associated with those levels. I know each person is unique in their progression. I am wondering if others have experienced this with a parent as a sign the disease is taking a turn for the worse.

Also, a nurse is coming to visit him at home for a "welness visit" since he is on medicare. He also has another "wellness visit" next month with a nurse at his primary care physician's offfice. The results of both of these visits are to be reported to his primary care physician. Does anyone know if they check for cognitive abilities.

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My mother (83) started having confusion almost two years ago. When she is really stressed she can forget where a dr. office is located as she did a week ago. Today she knows where the office is. I am assuming she has Alzheimer's but don't really know for sure. She refuses to see a neurologist. As Jeanne said, it is an hour to hour and day to day awareness on their part. They can become aggressive and combative and sometimes getting them on medication can help to relieve their anxiety. Antidepressants can help but be careful because some meds can make them worse. My father also had Alzheimer's and passed in 2003. When he was in a NH they put him on risperdal (sp?) but I have heard there are concerns with the drug now. When he was still at home, he was taking Paxil which my mother said made a big difference in him. My mother will call me 4-5 times a day basically asking the same questions over and over again. I have to talk her through everything again. If it gets to much for me I won't answer and then I call her a couple hours later and the urgency she felt has past. Keep communications open so you know what is going on with them, then take a deep breath and step back to keep your balance. ((((HUGS)))) to you all!!
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My 81 year old has dementia. I have been with him for 2 1/2 years now. He has been gradually changing over time. He can be confused and forgetful over hygiene but doesn't forget that he wants to go to Denny's for the same breakfast everyday and tells me how bad the bacon is after eating 3 pieces. He has terrible mood swings, hot and very cold and can go off on someone at a drop of the hat, it doesn't matter who it is, where we are. But when called on it he can't remember what your talking about. Our good days are getting less frequent and the bad times are getting much worse. My husband is his favorite target. Great for me, since we are selling our home to move to AZ to care for my Dad. It is really hard to try to figure out what next. Since sitting here at the computer, my Dad has called the house 4 times. Why, who knows, becuz he doesn't. While I was at the grocery store today (I was gone an hour and a half) he called the house with his cell phone 18 times. Why or what did he need, there again who knows, he doesn't. I'm learning the very general guideline are just that very general. I also care for my granddaughter, who is 7 yrs old with autism, like autism and dementia, no two cases are the same. I try to learn from yesterday because you can't change it, try to do my very best today and take notes and pray tomorrow will be a better day. :)
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My 86 year old husband has dementia. He can be very confused one day then mild the next. In fact, he can change behaviours several times within one day.

He has been like this since June 2003. The fluctuations are a normal part of his disease (Lewy Body Dementia). Lately the good days are gettting less frequent and the bad times are getting worse. I take this as a possible sign that the disease is progressing. But really, I can only deal with what presents itself each day.

I know -- believe me I know -- that caregivers would like to have milestones, guide posts to where we are in this disease, maybe even a clue now and then about how much longer things will stay as they are. The reality is that clear markers are few and far between. All we can do is take each day as it comes.

As you read about the stages of dementia, keep in mind that there are more than 50 kinds of dementia, and they don't all include the same set of symptoms. They don't all progress in the same way. For example, hallucinations typically come later in Alzheimer's but may the first symptom in Lewy Body Dementia. Reading such lists can be helpful in terms of learning in a very general way what might be expected. But they are seldom a good match for any particular case of dementia.

Sorry. I don' guess that is what you were hoping to hear.
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