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I have explained that he has ED - for a moment he remembers. But the efforts on his part is never ending. I feel horrible. He is groping me all the time. We have been together for 38 years. I love him dearly. It is hard to feel loving in that way with his Alzheimer's and all the issues that surround it.

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This subject has come up several times - and my point of view isn't the norm. As one poster said - the right answer is what's right for you. For me, my husband was the same way and wanted sex all the time - even though he could only go through the motions and couldn't perform. I was so caught up in taking care of him at home and working full-time (mostly from home) that I had very little desire or energy. Having said that, I made a conscious decision to make this sacrifice for him and do with him whatever he could do. I let him grope or whatever made him happy. That 'stage' didn't last very long because he soon forgot about sex - and most everything else. My beloved Bill died last June from Alzheimer's disease. He was physically healthy otherwise. As I look back, I'm grateful I made the decision I did - because, for me, it was a small thing I could do to make his last months on this earth just a little happier - when everything else had been taken from.
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Normandy, We have all been there. Relieving his need when there is no longer a reciprocal or intimate relationship not only demeans the well partner, but is not remembered by the receiver five minutes later.M spouse complained bitterly each time I left the house that I must be going out to have sex with someone else because I roll over at night and I am not in bed when he wakes in the morning. We had just had our version of ALZ sex not an hour before!
Wht did work for a while were back rubs. The tactile connection between us lasted the longest and he relaxed and enjoyed the physical contact. For a while he also rubbed my back and we cuddled.
Gorlin, this phase will end, the questioning will get worse, so follow the rcommendations for antidepressant or better yet, antipsychotic medications which may deal with his delusions for a while.
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Not there yet, but I think NotHisFault is the way I'd go too. My Dad kept wanting my Mother to sit by him and she didn't much because she was so bent on doing her housekeeping. I wish she'd been there more for him and I'm trying to remember that as I care for my 86-year-old husband with dementia.
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I disagree that you have to do sexual things that are unpleasant to you in order to appease your spouses last days. Just have a discussion with him explaining that while he has these desires they are not your desires and just love each other with hugs and loving words. There is no need for the caregiver to be dehumanized and do things they are not comfortable with. Please this is just not necessary
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We had the same issue, and the doctor put him on antidepressant Elavil, which helped a lot. He still follows me around all the time, but the groping, etc. has subsided quite a bit. You might talk to your doc to see if he would prescribe an antidepressant. (We tried several SSRI's, but they didn't work as well.
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Thank you for your frankness and sex is part of our standard of living. Memories of the good times can stimulate the appetite and I am 96 with desires still within but without a partner I satisfy whatever needs I have in work which is not the relief I need but is the distraction.
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If your husband has Parkinson's they may be giving him a medication called Robinirole which is a carbadopa levadopa booster. The side effects are sexual desires and gambliing. (look it up on the internet). Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist of the non-ergoline class of medications. It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, Cipla, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Sun Pharmaceutical. It is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome. Showing side effects of ....Some people have experienced new, unusual, or increased urges (eg, eating, gambling, sexual urges, spending money) while using ropinirole. Tell your doctor right away if you notice such effects.

Currently he is on a antipsychotic medication that seems to have calmed his urges. Plus he is now catherized as the disease progresss.

They can increase the Synamet (carba dopa) and decrease the Ropinirole but that is not always the best solution as in his case he immediately had worse Parkinson's symptoms.
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he has moderate dementia. from what you guys are telling me this will pass. but by then I may be to old to know that has happened...lol I can imagine how hard it is for him. The frustration that we all share is the frustration for the caregiver is so often minimized. wish there was a pat solution. i am definitely going to try the back rubs. thanks everyone!
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Yes, but sex with someone who is mentally ill is a whole different ballgame (no pun intended). That is who I live with.
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Welcome to the club! There is no answer, but the right answer for YOU. You know your husband, so recognize the desire for sex all the time has been heightened in the destruction of cognitive function. Do what you want and remember he forgets what you just said, so he will ask again, and again, and again...
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