Never heard of Lewy Body Dementia. Was your husband diagnosed with Lewy? I wish to get some respite but husband "doesn't need a babysitter". I like your advice and I will try it.
If your husband is lucid enough to be asking about his memory lapses, then, yes, I think you should answer with the truth at the level he can comprehend it.
I am reminded of the mother who took a deep breath and went into great detail when her little daughter asked "where did I come from?" The daughter looked puzzled throughout this explanation of mommies and daddies and love. At the end she said, "Oh. I just wondered. The new girl at day care said she came from New Jersey."
So try to answer what he really wants/needs to know, and not in more detail than he wants!
My husband knew from the very beginning that he had Lewy Body Dementia. In a way that was a relief to him. It explained why these strange things were happening, assured him that none of them were his fault, and that plenty of people knew about this disability and could help. We referred to the disease as "Lewy" and it allowed me to assure him that I knew HE didn't need a babysitter, but that I wanted someone in the house with him in case Lewy decided to act up. He was an engineer. Cause and effect was in the air he breathed.
My mother, on the other hand, could only handle "mild cognitive impairment" as a diagnosis and we only talked about "memory problems that are common when you are lucky enough to live so long."
Answer your husband honestly, but at a level that he can take in and accept.
I like 97's suggestion that a doctor should explain his diagnosis to him once, with you present. After that, use your best judgment to support his quality of life.
from your profile “On My Mind... should I tell my husband the truth when he asks me why he has trouble with his memory?”
Did his doctor tell him? If not then I think she should tell him with you at least once.
There are moments of clarity. When he is having one and asks then try explaining. If it doesn’t go well then you have your answer. Are you familiar with Teepa Snow? check her out on YouTube if you aren’t familiar. She gives great tips.
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I am reminded of the mother who took a deep breath and went into great detail when her little daughter asked "where did I come from?" The daughter looked puzzled throughout this explanation of mommies and daddies and love. At the end she said, "Oh. I just wondered. The new girl at day care said she came from New Jersey."
So try to answer what he really wants/needs to know, and not in more detail than he wants!
My husband knew from the very beginning that he had Lewy Body Dementia. In a way that was a relief to him. It explained why these strange things were happening, assured him that none of them were his fault, and that plenty of people knew about this disability and could help. We referred to the disease as "Lewy" and it allowed me to assure him that I knew HE didn't need a babysitter, but that I wanted someone in the house with him in case Lewy decided to act up. He was an engineer. Cause and effect was in the air he breathed.
My mother, on the other hand, could only handle "mild cognitive impairment" as a diagnosis and we only talked about "memory problems that are common when you are lucky enough to live so long."
Answer your husband honestly, but at a level that he can take in and accept.
I like 97's suggestion that a doctor should explain his diagnosis to him once, with you present. After that, use your best judgment to support his quality of life.
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“On My Mind...
should I tell my husband the truth when he asks me why he has trouble with his memory?”
Did his doctor tell him? If not then I think she should tell him with you at least once.
There are moments of clarity. When he is having one and asks then try explaining. If it doesn’t go well then you have your answer.
Are you familiar with Teepa Snow? check her out on YouTube if you aren’t familiar. She gives great tips.