I wonder what stage my husband is in. His Dr. will not give a stage for him. He has had dementia since 2012. Any suggestions?

Here is a description of the seven stages of Alzheimer's. Maybe this will help you.

https://www.fhca.org/members/qi/clinadmin/global.pdf

Wow. Caring for an adult with dementia and a child is a lot of work. I hope you'll investigate Medicaid. Even Community Medicaid . Community Medicaid will pay for your husband to go to an adult activities center. They even provide transportation to it sometimes.

Start with the Department of Aging for your state. https://www.hhs.gov/aging/state-resources/index.html

Ask your children to help you research it. You can't be giving your granddaughter the same great "grandma experience" you want to give her if you are constantly chasing him around putting his pants back on!

Don't worry too much about the stage. It doesn't seem like the stage you are in is a great indicator of how much longer you will be caring for him. People on this board state they have late stage loved ones who can't walk, talk, are incontinent, have trouble swallowing and can't feed themselves and they have been like that for years.

JoAnn is right. You don’t say how old your granddaughter is, but even by the age of 3, she will remember Grandpa walking around in the altogether in front of her. And that’s not a real good memory to have.

I remember a post a few weeks ago from someone who takes her husband with dementia to a mall or large store. She said he’s wandered off on her twice and at one point a store worker told her she saw him heading for the parking lot. Was that you? I remember posting myself, echoing others that malls and large stores were not safe for her and her husband. If that was you, do you continue to take him to those places? Most cities have exercise facilities with an enclosed indoor track. Do you mean he is physically unable to walk with you or just refuses to?

Take the advice about Medicaid. If we were in your situation, I would already have applied for my bedridden husband. But we live in a house that won’t sell and I have pets I won’t give up. If your husband was in a facility he would most likely get physical therapy. I understand that putting your husband in a facility is not an easy decision. It’s easy for us to suggest it but it’s a heartbreaking decision to make. It’s up to you whether to take our advice or not, but I wish you luck and peace with your decision whatever it is.

I would say he is entering the last stages. You can get Medicaid and not lose your home. Medicaid will make sure bills can be met.