End of Life and Dementia - Hear from a Hebrew SeniorLife expert

To learn more about end-of-life research being conducted at Hebrew SeniorLife's Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, visit www.marcusinstituteforaging.org.
If you or someone you care about is beginning to experience symptoms of memory loss, or possible signs of dementia, you likely have many questions. At Hebrew SeniorLife, our goal is to help you understand the options to maximize cognitive function and quality of life.
Whether you're just noticing symptoms or have been dealing with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia for some time, Hebrew SeniorLife is here to help. From in-person and virtual consultations and caregiver support to residential options and late-stage care, we offer a wide range of memory care services and support to help seniors with memory loss live their best life. We understand that your whole family is impacted by these challenges and also provide virtual and in-person services and support to family members and caregivers.
Interested in learning more about how Hebrew SeniorLife can help your family? Visit www.hebrewseniorlife.org/memoryloss

[@sallyclay1974]

My sister had Lewy Bodies Dementia for 7 years. Her first 4 yrs, were with round the clock caregivers in her house in Ridgefield CT. The last 3, were at The Residence, in Darien CT., in Assisted living. She passed a way, peacefully, on Jan 27th, 2021. God bless the medical staff, including hospice who took such great care of my sister. I salute all of u!

[@harrycontos3847]

That's awesome, I haven't found a facility here that even knows how to deal with people who have dementia. I'm learning myself from everyone experience 🙏👍😎

[@keng528]

The alzheimers help is basically non existent during covid...i have been my wife's only caregiver for 6 years now...it is something I get used to surprisingly...but as a human...i am all alone and forgotten as a result. Even friends shy away because it is so hard to witness let alone be 24/7 for 1500 days or more...ground hogs day ...only its ever worsening symptoms and never ending grief cause many emotional swings...terrible yet I am grateful she was not taken in an instant.. At least this way you can say goodbye in an agonizing way.... ...God bless anyone doing this alone for so long...thats me so please say one for Deb and I...thx

[@drodman34]

Ken I feel your pain. I have been my moms only caregiver for the last 2 years of her being diagnosed with dementia. She moved in with me after my dad passed 6 yrs ago. I have 3 other siblings that dont lend a helping hand. I have aided her through a fall a year ago with a broken hip. I took alot of time off work but feel guilty for going back to work and leaving her during the day with a paid home aid. I have to work to pay bills. I feel so bad for mom because nobody will come to visit her. All her siblings are going except 1 91 yo brother thats the same way. I do feel so alone most of the time but I look at my mom and will never abandone her like the rest of my siblings. I am all shes got and would never do that. My personal life has suffered because of it. On the brighter side I have never been so close to mom. I will see that the ending of her life is the best that I can make it. Prayers go out to you and Deb and for anyone else thats going through this alone.

[@keng528]

@@drodman34 thanks so much and hang in there as well. We will never be the same...that means we will be advanced in wisdom and patience...I hope to help others directly.noone can possibly fathom what this is like unless they walk in our shoes...the system tries...but fails us...God bless your MOM... It's a holy experience the death process...your souls are communicating now...an eternal bond...screw the siblings...their loss...

[@AE-yt4lx]

You are great.

[@loriosborn3505]

Ken I understand where you are coming from. My father had parkinsons and the dementia that sometimes comes with it. He moved in with us for almost 6 months. He couldnt be left alone for a minute. I only left my house twice in the last 4 months he was here. I couldnt take it, as his dementia made him terribly aggressive and mean. I finally made the decision to put him in a nursing home. Hardest thing I have ever done in my life. He lived there for 7 years. He actually called it his home. I said all of that to say this. There are people in this world and there are angels. You, Ken, are an angel. I cannot imagine what you are going through. I will say a prayer for the both of you tonight. Right now as a matter of fact, asking God to shore you up and give you the strength to continue. God bless you my friend.

[@hebrewseniorlife]

Hi Ken, We understand your frustration and challenges. The Wolk Center for Memory Health and Hebrew SeniorLife offers Family and Caregiver Support programs. They include individual and family counseling as well as caregiver support groups - all of which are conveniently available virtually through online telehealth. We continue to provide telemedicine and virtual support services to patients and families via videoconference and telephone. To learn more, please call 617-363-8600 or visit us on the web at bit.ly/39KHZ2G.

[@joanharris8057]

No antibiotics? Before we signed up with Hospice, we made it clear that if Mom had an UTI, we wanted a prescription of antibiotics to treat the infection. Our 91 year old Mom is late stage Alzheimer's and lives with my brother and sister-in-law. Today was a good day. She was eating, responded to me, and we got smiles out of her. Last week she was not very responsive and hardly eating. It is up and down but we do our best to make Mom comfortable. We do not want to put Mom in a nursing home and not be able to see her.

[@kathym6603]

Follow your heart.

[@ceciliapreziose3783]

just a heads , make sure all family is on board and can contribute in some manner. This is so not one person gets burned out

[@chadwick283]

🙏🙏🙏