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My husband is 78, He is at the early stages of Alzheimer's. I am very concerned because he was a very active person. He enjoyed going to the Casino which is nearby. He lost interest in that. For the last couple of months all he does is sleep. He gets up eats and goes back to sleep. His primary physician gave me a referral for him to see a neurologist. He doesn't want me to make him appointments not even with his primary doctor or with any the doctors. I am very worried. Don't know what to do. Any suggestions? Please help. Thanks.

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I can only try to put myself in your husband's shoes, you said early stages of Alzheimer's, right? So, he is still aware of what is happening to him, that would make me very depressed, and sleeping is a sign of depression. If he was outgoing in life, knowing that he has a disease that he can't control may make him do what I myself would do, just forget the world, and allow me to rest in peace. My dreams are so much better than what is going on in the real world, they are happy, I'm in Hawaii, or wherever, I am at the Beach, no one is looking at me like I'm a monster, or talking behind my back. If you love him and have a close relationship with him, you should lay in bed with him, ask him what he dreams about, don't remind him of the illness, laugh and include him so that he can include you in what is going on with him. Just a suggestion. Good Luck, and take care.
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Thank you so much. I get the feeling that he just wants to die. And, that terrifies me. Which I was in Hawaii in a beach some where. We have been married for 54 years. Not feeling sorry for my self. Just terrified.
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Hi Betterhalf. I’m sorry. I agree with other post and that your husband might be depressed. Who wouldn’t be with a realization of having this disease. Would he be open to antidepressants? Maybe his primary can prescribe and once feeling a little better might be willing to see a neurologist. My Mom struggles with depression. She is mid stage dementia. She used to talk more about what was happening to her mind. To relieve her fears
I would explain that there are many diseases that affect the mind and remind her of our relatives inflicted with those diseases such as Parkinsons and MS. That made her feel not so alone. Another fear was what will happen to her when she could no longer remember anything? Reassuring her that she would always be cared for lessened her worries. I’m certain your husband is fearful and it’s simply less painful to go to bed and sleep. I would try to encourage antidepressants to get him out of bed and then you both can work on next steps. Sending you a hug. Good luck.
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