The worst was yesterday when he dropped his cell phone in the Walmart parking lot. He is in stage 2 parkinsonism. He's shuffling more and mumbling more. Is he slipping into stage 3 already?
Al has a "fanny pack" now and he will use it instead of just stuffing everything into his pockets. Hopefully, this will prevent him from losing important things in parking lots.
Amott....I pretty much an total caregiver already....my husband can go to bathroom if he only has to potty otherwise I have to take care of him. I shave,shower, and cloth him ....he can still,get that spoon to his mouth...I went to a meeting last night with my daughter on veterans benefits they have to have been a vet during a war time...the will pay 2,049 a month toward skilled care thank goodness..... Yes it is so hard to see your loved one slipping away before your eyes .....wishing you and your husband the best.... Eileen
My Al is only in a stage 2, slowly progressing to a 3. He can still take care of his daily needs. My caregiving right now is mainly reminding of him like which street he needs to turn on to reach his doctor and taking his cane to prevent falls.
Where I live, we have something called "5 County Council on Aging" which can help you get people who can come to your house to help with your spouse if he doesn't have medical needs and is mobile.
Stage 5 is the end of the line one, where he won't be able to get out of bed and you will have to feed him, etc. At that stage, you will need to move him to a home. You might start visiting the ones in your area now so that when the time comes, you'll be better able to make the decision. All homes are not the same.
These are the men we've loved all our lives and depended on for strength and support. Even the thought of sending Al to a home is mind boggling. I feel your pain and will remember you in my prayers.
Amott6.....are you still caring for your husband? I feel guilty looking into skilled nursing but I feel myself being drained ..then I read horror stories of nursing homes and feel I am in a no win situation. What stage do you think your husband is in?? Bless you and your family
Laney -- according to the list I found on-line, it sounds like your husband is in stage four. The last stage (five) is when he will need around the clock nursing care. My Al is 77.
My husband is 73 with PD for sometime now...in fact I have been looking into skilled nursing...he almost totally depends on me I shave him, shower him, have to help him dress, take care of bathroom clean ups you all understand that I am sure..sigh this is starting to take a toll on me now as well...I would like to know the stages also ....
Yes, they do still make them. I think TravelSmith has some of the best, because there is a metal cord through the waistband so that it can't easily be cut off by a thief. But you could probably find one wherever you are. Would he agree to wear it, or would it be too "sissy"?
I'm wondering about getting him a "fanny pack" where he could keep his keys, money, wallet and cell phone when we go out. Do they still make them? As long as he didn't take it off, he wouldn't be able to lose anything in a store..
Thank you, SunnyM. We were fortunate that we got his cell phone back. I called it and the nice young man who found it answered. I want to get one of those holders that fasten to his belt for him to keep it in. I also purchased a cell for me. It was scarey because our house phone system went out that day also.
I found the stages of PD listed on-line somewhere. I'll look into Tile.
Oh, also... there is a new product called Tile that you can attach to things and an app on your cell will locate them. I will get the app on MY cell because he loses that, too.
My husband "misplaces" things constantly. He has PD, too, (I'm not sure what stage, no doctor has told me, I will ask.) I try to think of it as a treasure hunt every day... "Let's go find your glasses, wallet, keys, whatever." He does fine during the day, usually, but sometimes "sundowns" at night.
Where I live, we have something called "5 County Council on Aging" which can help you get people who can come to your house to help with your spouse if he doesn't have medical needs and is mobile.
Stage 5 is the end of the line one, where he won't be able to get out of bed and you will have to feed him, etc. At that stage, you will need to move him to a home. You might start visiting the ones in your area now so that when the time comes, you'll be better able to make the decision. All homes are not the same.
These are the men we've loved all our lives and depended on for strength and support. Even the thought of sending Al to a home is mind boggling. I feel your pain and will remember you in my prayers.
I found the stages of PD listed on-line somewhere. I'll look into Tile.