I am a 66 year old female and my husband is 67. He was diagnosed with Dementia in 2015. He has lived at home doing well until we had to sell our home of 20 yrs due to him having troubles going up and down the stairs.
I continued working but by this past summer, I had to quit my job so I could stay home.
His condition had started to deteriorate much over the last two months with not wanting to eat, incontinence got bad, would not change clothes or shower. His behavior started changing with him hallucinating, talking to the TV and accusations. I had to mop urine sometimes 3 times a day and clean carpet.
In late August I had to call 911 due to him assaulting me so he went to the hospital and stayed 2 weeks. At the end of 2 weeks, doctors at the hospital and PTs said he would not benefit from therapy so he would have to be placed in a SNF. I had 1 day to try and find him a home and get application in for Medicaid.
He came home for the weekend and now had to wear the disposable briefs and was not steady on his feet or falling down. Monday he assaulted me again when trying to help him off the floor. He went back to the hospital and then to SN.
He no longer walks, talks or eats much. He has been falling from his chair and bed several times and so far only a broken finger.
I was told he now has Alzheimer. Can someone explain why he has been diagnosed with Dementia for last 5 years and now Alzheimer?
Confused!
According to the below article from healthline.com, "...Dementia is an overall term used to describe symptoms that impact memory, performance of daily activities, and communication abilities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease gets worse with time and affects memory, language, and thought."
Here's the link to the article.
https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/difference-dementia-alzheimers#:~:text=Dementia%20and%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s%20disease%20aren%E2%80%99t%20the%20same.%20Dementia,with%20time%20and%20affects%20memory%2C%20language%2C%20and%20thought.