Amnestic Alzheimer's Disease. Anyone familiar with this diagnosis?

Thank you so much! I appreciate your kindness.

Whalesong: Perhaps you can ask his neurologist to prescribe another medication other than Zoloft (Sertraline) for your DH's (Dear Husband) anxiety. Although I am not familiar with Amnestic Alzheimer's, I am with Alzheimer's as my late sister in law had the disease. Her memory was lost, of course, to the disease and when she unfortunately contracted the Novel Coronavirus, delirium set it and she could not recover. Amnesia and dementia go hand in hand; a dementia patient has lost the 'recall' ability, if you will. Prayers sent.

My husband's neurologist diagnosed him with Alzheimer's as did the physician before that specialist. After a couple of years this neurologist's staff directed us to only meet up for our bi-annual medication renewals, and a quick how'd ja do, and do you have any concerns or questions, with at first the neurologist's P.A., and the last two times with his nurse. Checking the records I noticed the P.A. recorded Amnesia. Potatoes, potahtoes, my husband is loosing himself.

About eight years after my husband started on his journey he began to get up in the morning, after a full nights sleep, only to take short morning naps after breakfast, and then a long afternoon nap after lunch. He's been taking Sertraline every morning since then, these last 5 years. Although he can be mule headed at times, my husband has always been and still is a gentle soul, this may be relevant to his reaction to Sertraline which, in his case, is that it keeps him awake through out the day without agitation.

Btw, years before being diagnosed, but not at the very beginning of our marriage, he was already mildly, sporatically, quaking every night while sleeping. Just before Sertaline he was quaking a bit more strongly and a little more often so this already progressing action may not be connected with this drug as much as the disease but since he's taking it he still quakes and now kicks sometimes too.

also you said your husband is a veteran. Some VAs have their own nursing home and Adult day care arrangements especially if the vet has a 50% or more service connection.

Short term memory loss is one of the symptoms of Alzheimers. You must prepare for a time when he may need 24/7 care. If he is still able to sign legal documents, make sure all of his and your paperwork is in order. You both need to set up Powers of Attorney for medical and financial matters, have living wills with your advance medical directives, and have wills, if you have assets. You may need an attorney to assist with the legal documents. Your area may provide pro bono attorneys, if needed. Call Social Security/Medicare to make sure the people designated as your POA are on file to be able to speak on your behalf. Financial institutions often have their own POA forms. You have two basic options if his health and mental ability continue to decline (which, sadly, is likely to happen): in-home aides or a memory care facility. Much will depend on your finances. Get connected with a social worker to find out his options (and your options as a family caregiver). There may be programs to help you (and him). Reach out and get help. You don't want to burn out as a caregiver. Please don't feel guilt if he eventually has to move to a memory care facility. He will have professional services there. Continuing care facilities would allow the two of you to live together in the independent living unit as long as he is able, then as needed, he would move to the memory care unit.

How is he with doing puzzles? Can he operate a tablet where he can put puzzles together? They say this will help. My BIL has dementia and his short term memory is gone there is no 5 minutes its totally gone. He keeps repeating himself and keeps asking the same questions after we answer them. We put him on melatonin 30mgs so that he can sleep otherwise he would be up all night. The neurologist put my BIL on namzaric for his dementia it did help it slowed it down but now we don't see it slowing at all.

We got my BIL some popits it helps with movement and keeping doing other things beside just watching tv. We also have ring cameras in his apartment for watching him because he likes to eat and drink what he isn't suppose too. Also it helps with giving medication to him because he lives alone.

Are you his POA for medical, financial? Its time to get everything set up so it will be easier when you need these items. I am my BIL's representative payee for social security and have been now for 5 yrs.

Prayers

You got some great advice from lealonnie1.
Some things that you should do if you haven't already:
Consult an Elder Care Attorney. Make sure all your papers are in order. Advance directives, POLST, If you are not POA it might be a bit late. Hopefully everything is in both your names, if not it can make things difficult later.
If your husband is a Veteran check with the local Veterans Assistance Commission to see if he qualifies for any help, benefits from the VA.
Look into Adult Day programs. This would get him out of the house and supervised for several hours during the day. I did 3 days a week with / for my Husband and it was a sanity saver. As he declined and could no longer go to Adult Day Care I had to hire caregivers that would come a few days a week for 6 hours or so.
Check with your local Senior Center or local Area Agency on Aging and see if there are any services that he would qualify for.

*and a side suggestion...since you work in a hospital ask a Social Worker there if they have any other suggestions for you.

*and because it is me and I am such an advocate....consider Hospice. You really do not have to worry about "6 months or fewer" as long as there is a documented continued decline he would be recertified for Hospice. My Husband was on Hospice for almost 3 years.

Amnestic dementia/AD is just a form of amnesia/memory issues. So your DH has severe short term memory issues that likely will not worsen with time. Short term memory loss is quite dangerous b/c it's what helps us remember how to get things done; the steps required to take a shower, for instance. First I have to turn the shower on, then I have to get undressed, then step inside the shower, close the door, lather up with soap, wash, lather shampoo on my head, scrub, rinse, etc. There are A LOT of steps required in taking a shower; you and I take those steps for granted and take our shower w/o thinking. Your DH probably can't do that b/c he loses track of what he's doing. He may be making a sandwich in the kitchen and wind up in the back yard, asking "How and why am I out here?" That's a good example of AD with severe short term memory loss.

I can recommend a good book for you to read by Diana Friel McGowan, “Living in the Labyrinth,” A Personal Journey Through the Maze of Alzheimer's. This book is a first hand biography which you may find enlightening.

I also suggest you read this 33 page booklet (which is a free download) which has THE best information ever about managing Alzheimer's Disease and what to expect with an elder who's been diagnosed with it.

Understanding the Dementia Experience, by Jennifer Ghent-Fuller 
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210580

Jennifer is a nurse who worked for many years as an educator and counsellor for people with dementia and their families, as well as others in caring roles. She addresses the emotional and grief issues in the contexts in which they arise for families living with dementia/AD.

The full copy of her book is available here:
https://www.amazon.com/Thoughtful-Dementia-Care-Understanding-Experience/dp/B09WN439CC/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2E7WWE9X5UFXR&keywords=jennifer+ghent+fuller+books&qid=1657468364&sprefix=jennifer+ghent%2Caps%2C631&sr=8-2

She also has published a workbook entitled, “It Isn’t Common Sense: Interacting with People Who Have Memory Loss Due to Dementia.”

https://www.amazon.com/Isnt-Common-Sense-Interacting-Dementia/dp/1481995995/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2E7WWE9X5UFXR&keywords=jennifer+ghent+fuller+books&qid=1657468655&sprefix=jennifer+ghent%2Caps%2C631&sr=8-4

As far as you're concerned, you need to think about getting in-home care for your husband while you're gone at work, and for when he progresses. Think about Memory Care Assisted Living if the time comes when you can no longer manage his care at home. Having a plan in place is always a good idea. AD is a family disease and affects you as much (if not more) than it affects him. You need respite so you can care for yourself during this journey, too.

Wishing you the best of luck