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DFD3935 Asked September 2018

My husband is 87, has Parkinson’s and extensive dementias. He thinks I am having affairs or “entertaining.” What do I say to reassure him?

My husband is 87 (I am 67) and we’ve been married 42 years. He has always been very fit with no chronic health issues until he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s following a cycling accident. Since then he developed dementias that are now extensive. I have him home with me and we have 24/7 care. He is now confined to a wheelchair, can no longer walk without assistance and is losing the ability to speak. However, he does think about sex a lot even though he is unable to move much. I am still working to help offset the financial costs. I had to start sleeping in another room because he is up and restless most nights preventing me from getting rest and he is imagining I am “entertaining” in another room and each time I leave the house he worries I’m “entertaining” even though I send “real-time” pictures and videos showing where I am and who I am with. He loves me and he knows I love him but he can’t shake these fears. Is this a “stage”; hiw do others handle and reassure their spouses?!

MargaretMcKen Sep 2018
It is not a new insight that men think about sex more than women, and if you are coping with caring and working as well, sex may be the last thing on your mind. Perhaps if you could make a habit of getting into bed beside him every night when he retires, and at least cuddling for just a few minutes, it would make him happy and reassure him.

Ahmijoy Sep 2018
My mother was a prude the whole time I was growing up. Sex was NEVER mentioned in our home...ever. I learned about the birds and the bees from a baby book I found in the attic which I’m sure she left there for me to find so she didn’t have to have that talk with me.

When she went into the facility, she became obsessed with sex. 90% of her conversations were about how the residents and staff of the nursing home were all involved in group sex. I finally had to tell her one day to be a lady and ladies don’t talk like that. It helped, for a while. But, like your husband, she obsessed.

I learned there is nothing you can do to dissuade someone with dementia who is obsessing about something. Redirection is the key. Yiu can tell him and tell him that you love him and he’s the only one for you but in five minutes he won’t remember. Start talking about what happened at work, something amusing that has nothing to do with sex. If he becomes anxious or belligerent, speak with his doctor about anti anxiety meds. Good luck. I know it’s no fun.

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imoekaye Sep 2018
So sorry you’re dealing with this - I can relate although my husband has just recently had moments of concern or suspicion that I’m ‘stepping out’. I don’t know that I have the right answers but I just continue to reassure him that I never have nor will I ever step out on him. I would also validate for him that it must be very scary & hurtful to think I would betray him and our relationship in such a way. I hope others who have experienced this will chime in. I’d love to hear others thoughts.

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