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I posted yesterday I would make more effort getting my wife to be more active. Today we went to her doctor appointment. Quite a bit of walking for her. After getting home she started getting antsy again. I suggested we walk out back and sit on the swing. That was a good time for both of us! Now it seems she’s settled down.

If I notice my wife getting restless the next few days I’ll make a doctor appt.
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LittleOrchid Jul 2021
I don't know much about Alzheimers as it doesn't run in my family. However, I do know that getting outside for a bit and taking a walk always cheers me and gives me a certain peace and repose that nothing in the house can do. I do love my gardens, but I think most people would feel better if they cultivated a habit of a morning and/or afternoon walk of about 15 minutes each day. Your idea of sitting on the swing was an excellent one. I have a bench outside with great views of the gardens. I should use it more than I do.

Perhaps the best thing about "outdoor therapy" is that it is instinctive, needs no verbal communication. All of us, as we age, miss the things we used to be able to do. I am not sure, but I think part of the Alzheimers is that the person loses the ability to rationalize that we cannot play tennis, but we can enjoy the memories. Getting your wife outside can help her experience another reality without needing to verbalize or connect her thoughts. Good for you.
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Doorways! Hahaha!

I love that!

Now, I know what to blame!

Thanks for the chuckle!
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disgustedtoo Jul 2021
I posted a link to a real study done on this - it DOES indeed happen! I noted it LONG before finding the article, esp when you get to "destination", stand there perplexed as to what you were going to do, then as you recross the threshold, the thought reappears!

https://www.livescience.com/17132-forget-walked-room-doorways-blame-study-finds.html
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Edibles! Really try her on CBD gummies. If you are in a nonTHc state, the nonTHC HoneyB healthy living brand of gummies are available on line & up in some nutrition oriented shops.

If your in a THc ok state, there is a different Honeybee, honeybee-edibles who also does chocolates & has an actual chocolatier, Dave Owens, who has created recipes for their bars and drops. They are part of the Proper group. Another if you r in okTHC state, is Wyldcanna’s gummies, their Marionberry I’ve heard is full fruit flavor. For non gummies, there’s Ripple Balanced 5 from Stillwater, it’s a shake that dissolves in hot drinks.

All seem to be quite good at making you more chill, less anxiety.
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BurntCaregiver Jul 2021
igloo572,

Every problem doesn't have a chemical solution. The wife has dementia. Weed and weed products can make it worse.
People need activity and stimulation. When they don't have any they decline very fast.
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Thats call anxiety. My husband is suffering the same. And tend to forgets what is he was looking for. Call her doctor to see her and talk about her behavior. Also depression could be hand in hand with anxiety. So sorry for this. It's a rough path 😔,
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Hallah,

You have received great answers, so I won’t repeat their answers. I just want to say that you are a sweetheart. You are a loving and caring husband. God bless you.
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hallah Jul 2021
Thank you! I keep asking God to take care of me so I can help Him take care of my wife. It’s been working so far!

My wife would do the same for me if our roles were reversed.
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Maybe your wife is bored. People with dementia get incredibly bored but don't understand that they are and can't verbalize it. What does she do for activity during the day?
Does she ever go out, even just outside? Do you ever have visitors?
I've had elderly clients who did nothing but sit, watch tv, eat, day after day. They would often get very restless because they'd get a burst of energy and have nothing to do. Sometimes just going outside for a walk around the yard makes all the difference. Can your wife be taken outside? Or maybe for a drive? Just getting outdoors for a little while helps.
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hallah Jul 2021
You may have “hit the nail on the head”. I am lax in getting her out and about except for doctor appointments, which there are quite a few of them.

Her daily activities? Watching tv. Visitors? They fell by the wayside when they found it difficult for them to carry on a conversation with her.

Because of what you said I will make more of an effort to get her outside. Y’all are my witnesses to that, ok?
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Maybe it was something simple like stretching her legs and getting some exercise.   Maybe she wanted to do or get something, but forgot.  That happens to me a lot, and I don't have dementia (or least I don't think I do!)

And actually the exercise is good for her if it's done safely.

You seem like a very caring husband.  You might want to consider contacting the local Alzheimer's Assn. and ask if they're running their Creating Confident Caregiver course.   They were free when I took one, and it was very, very  helpful, even though dementia wasn't in the picture for the parent for whom I was caring at that time.
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hallah Jul 2021
Usually if she’s going to go get something and forgets, she’ll tell me she forgot what it was.

I, too, have my forgetful moments. I blame it on door-ways. Door-ways cause forgetfulness. Lol

Thanks for mentioning Alz’s courses. I took a quick look and will be delving into some of them. I didn’t see the one you spoke of but there are several which are probably similar and will be helpful to me.
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UTI
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hallah Jul 2021
UTI was something I first thought of. DW isn’t experiencing any of the symptoms of a UTI. She says there’s no pain when urinating, not going too frequently, no cloudy urine. She drinks around 10 glasses of water, 12 ounces each, every day. I tease her and call her “Sponge”.
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Good for her to actually get some exercise. More of us should do that!
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hallah Jul 2021
She’s definitely getting exercise! And I’m getting tired out watching.
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You are not over obsessing. I would say if she continues doing this I would talk to her Dr. It could be anxiety and may need to medicate for it. Moms was humming that got louder as the days went by. She needed medication.
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hallah Jul 2021
Thanks, Joann. I have asked her why she was so restless. She tells me “I don’t know. I think it’s because.......uh....because......”. That’s as far as she can go with that thought. I don’t push her on it; just move on to a different conversation. And wonder what’s going on. If it continues I will call her doctor.
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You are interpreting her behavior as “restlessness”, but it may just as likely be soothing, repetitive movement from her perspective.

She isn’t thinking with the same equipment that you think with, so she isn’t necessarily interpreting her movement as anything at all.


If she doesn’t seem bothered or distressed she may be enjoying what she’s doing. You can spend the moments when she’s moving this way doing a few short term tasks or doing nothing.

You will know when she needs help. For this activity, probably no help needed.
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hallah Jul 2021
Thanks, AnnReid. You made me laugh and realize I must be over-obsessing with the situation. Now I’ll go straighten up the house. Thanks again. I needed that!
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