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The Kitchen Table

Oh what a day and it's only 2:35 pm.

14 years ago

My moms husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers a couple of months ago. Since then they have changed the diagnosis to vascular dimentia. He is regressing at a very rapid pace. My biggest concern was that he would get confused during the night time hours and leave the house. We are in Wisconsin and thankfully it has been a mild winter. Last night though, my fears came to be. He left the house, best guess was around 11:00 pm, fortuneately he left with his clothes on and a coat. He was spotted about 2 blocks from the house at 11:30 pm and then more than a mile from there leaving a resturaunt at 2:50 am. He had no money/credit cards etc. but we believe his angel purchased a meal for him (he is diabetic) and either provided a ride for him or put him on a bus to the Milwaukee rescue mission. Police found him at 9 am at the mission. Exhausted, hungry and cold but alive. It was a blessing in disguise as it helped my mom to see there is a sense of urgency in securing some help for them or moving them. She has resisted this lately because she did not want to make him acclimate to another surrounding and because she did not want to leave her church which is a very big part of thier lives. They are a great network for her, they were out looking for him this morning as well. So, off to the internet looking for alarms for the doors. Signing them up for Life Alert and pursuing living options, oh and working my full time job. I'm tired.

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Comments (6)

lynn_d
14 years ago
I am so very sorry, two.25acres, such a horribly debilitating disease. One of my closest friends is going thru this with her mom. She fell in July and fractured her wrist and cheek, it took that to convince her dad that mom needed to be in a care facility. Thankfully she had not ever wandered away.

I hope that your mom understands that she is being granted a warning and that what you are doing is for everyone's best interests. Sometimes life lessons are so hard.
lydia1959
14 years ago
So sorry. I'm glad he stayed safe the night he wandered off. Very scary!

My husband is having some memory and functioning issues.. I'm hoping it is not dementia since he is not yet even 50. He goes for an MRI and blood tests tomorrow.
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kacram
14 years ago
I'm sorry, 2.25. I hope things get settled and get easier for you and your Mom
patti43
14 years ago
What a scare that must have been for your family. You just never know what's going through their mind once dementia sets in. My mother became fearful of everything so I never worried about her leaving our house. She was also deathly afraid of the microwave. Glad you're taking preventive measures, especially with the cold weather. Hope they can stay in their home for a while longer so your mom will have the comfort of her church friends.

I know I don't need to tell you this, but take care of your mother, too. This is emotionally very hard on her, too. She will need some time away from your dad to regoup every once in a while if there is someone who can stay with him.

Lydia, good thoughts your way on your DH's test tomorrow. Sure hope you get good news with the results.
nanny98
14 years ago
Very scary... and it is good that you shared your plight with us. Good thoughts and many prayers for the strength to face and solve these issues that are so hard to deal with. Keeping you in my thoughts.
tami_ohio
14 years ago
2.25, I will keep you all in my prayers. And thanking God that he was safe and cared for durning the night.

Lydia, also keeping you and your DH in my prayers for tomorrow.

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