(Part 2) Top products from r/dementia

The biggest help I've found is lowering carbs and increasing good fats in their diet. A lot of recent studies have started coining Alzhiemer's as "type-3 diabetes" - linking high blood sugar and insulin resistance to the death of cells in the brain (as they can't get enough energy). I'd definitely recommend a couple of books that opened my eyes to the disease as well as giving me some hope.

The End of Alzheimer's by Dr. Dale Bredesen, MD

The Alzheimer's Antidote by Amy Berger, MS, CNS, MTP

As mentioned in other comments, there are plenty of supplements that can help with some of the side effects of dementia like anxiety as well as others to counter vitamin deficiencies.

My main recommendations:

• Aim for a low carb diet filled with as many different nutrient-dense whole (unprocessed) foods as possible. It won't be perfect at first, but make whatever small changes you can over time! As mentioned in other comments, eggs are great, I'd also recommend lots of cruciferous vegetables and any foods high in antioxidants.
  
• Intermittent fasting periods (>12 hours) have also helped - this ties in with lowering carbs and increasing fat in the diet. IF has many benefits including kickstarting processes like autophagy and ketosis.
  
• Get some blood tests to identify any vitamin deficiencies (D, B6, B12, Folate, Zinc, etc.) and check inflammation markers. Basically look for any red flags that can be easily fixed!
  
• Daily exercise - a 30 minute walk in the morning is enough.
  
• Reduce stress.
  
• Get plenty of sleep (>8 hours).
  
• Plenty of water.
  
  If you have any questions please let me know!

Oh man! I'm taking care of my dad with dementia full time and half the time I want to murder him. It is HARD.

I strongly suggest that you find a psychotherapist to talk to and work this out with. It will take a few years but the earlier you start working through your emotions and feelings, the sooner you can move on with your life.

There are things worse than death. Anybody telling you "at least she's still alive," is not speaking through experience. They have no idea... Forgive them. And try not to let their words affect you. They are speaking through ignorance.

I cannot imagine being raised by a parent with dementia... Your feelings are valid. In case you cannot afford a therapist (totally plausible in our country), I suggest reading books. These suggestions may seem off topic, but i have found them to be very helpful in learning how people should interact, how the brain develops, and that there are people out there who interact with the people in their lives with empathy and compassion. You may find it empowering to educate yourself about brain development and psychology.

Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive, Dan Siegel

Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges

Emotional Intelligence 2.0

I wish you luck in life!

As someone that is seeing one of their parents go through mid-stage dementia, I ended up looking for help in places that I never would have thought to before. Despite my not being religious, I picked up a copy of No Act of Love is Ever Wasted: The Spirituality of Caring for Persons with Dementia, and am grateful for having had spent the time reading it (so much so that I emailed the authors just to thank them for their work.

I also picked up another book (which I've not yet read) that I believe was mentioned in the text above, that may be more apt to your situation than it is mine (at least yet). Loving Your Parents When They Can No Longer Love You. I can't speak to the work myself, but if it's half as worthwhile as "No Act of Love..." it will offer all kinds of thoughtful insight.

I'm not sure that I have much more advice to share at this point than this, but thought I'd at least point these options out to you.

If her dexterity is still good, maybe something like hand braided dog toys made from old t-shirts, which could be donated to a local shelter or rescue group:

http://stories.barkpost.com/how-to-make-a-t-shirt-dog-toy/

 


No-sew (hand tied fleece blankets) could be gifted to family members. Or make crib blanket sized ones and donate them to a local childrens shelter, fire department, or police station for children in crisis:

http://thefrugalgirls.com/2011/12/no-sew-fleece-blanket.html

(Be sure to watch your local craft or fabric store for sales and coupons. Jo Ann fabrics, for example, frequently had 50% off coupons that are good on any one cut of fabric. Also, after the holidays, there should be some excellent sales on polar fleece, as many fabric stores will be clearing it out to make room for spring fabrics.)

 

Potholder weaving loom:
https://www.amazon.com/Schylling-Metal-Potholder-Loom-Set/dp/B0019FJEZM

We found steno pads to be helpful because at least the papers are held together in one place. Then, once they are full of notes, the pads can be put all together on a shelf and my mom likes that. Well maybe it's actually her OCD that does LOL. I suppose the challenge would be if your mom prefers to tear the note out of the book once she has written it down.

Maybe get him some small herb garden seed starters for the window? Depending on his capability, maybe some fun mystery solving books?

Here’s an example: Solving Sherlock Holmes: Puzzle Your Way Through the Cases https://www.amazon.com/dp/1577151461/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UDl8Cb70FPM8Y

Oh I'm glad to find this post!
My mother (58) also has early onset Alzheimer's. I've been trying to find games she can play that aren't over complicated or overwhelming, but also not so childish/simple it's insulting or boring.
I considered Qwirkle, but I think all the different shapes would overwhelm her.
I got her this book https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1500664685/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 she said she liked it but it didn't seem like she could follow it.
So far the best entertainment I e found is hidden object books.

There's a nice book called "I am not sick, I don't need help! How to help someone with mental illness accept treatment" that would probably be incredibly helpful in this situation. I know dementia and mental illness are not the same, but the situations have enough in common that it should still be plenty helpful.

https://www.amazon.com/Someone-Mental-Illness-Treatment-Anniversary/dp/0967718937/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?hvadid=74285910506630&hvbmt=bb&hvdev=m&hvqmt=b&keywords=im+not+sick+i+dont+need+help&qid=1573526529&sr=8-2

You can actually order it right through Amazon =)

https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Love-Alive-Memories-Fade/dp/0802414508/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_1?keywords=Five+Long+Languages+dementia&qid=1567699019&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr3

I camp a lot. I have tried many bathing wipes, and camping shampoos. I like Clean Life Products: No Rinse.

The bathing wipes are designed to be microwaved so she can get a warm wash.

The No Rinse Shampoo is also really good. When I am in the backcountry I rinse it out with warm water, but you don't have to.

These people don't mess around. You can get it by the gallon.

If a smart TV or DVD player YouTube has extended nature videos. Here’s one that’s just 8 hours of a brook. Both Netflix and amazon prime have streaming nature videos. Netflix has some “slowtv” episodes (fishing, trains). Bob Ross might be another option.
You can also find a bunch of dvds on amazonocean views , tropical birds , or aquariums

If you have a food processor or blender your could maybe make the food puréed. Otherwise Hormel makes puréed dishes that can be microwaved. No idea on the taste...

amazon has them for example

Maybe the smells of the house will still insight some nice memories/feelings regardless that her dish looks different from everyone else’s.

Also to add, there’s molded versions of the foods if there’s a “that doesn’t look like beef” factor.

There are usually a lot of “fidget” blanket kind of things on Etsy. Some might be more applicable than others.

If it’s specifically mechanical / electrical then maybe one of these circuit kits with big easy pieces: https://www.amazon.com/Snap-Circuits-SC-300-Electronics-Exploration/dp/B0000683A4

Very well-written novel (and movie) from POV of Alzheimer's sufferer: Still Alice

This IS the time to mourn, because now is the time you are feeling the loss of her, even though her physical death may not occur for a long time. I have the same getting caring for my husband with dementia. It's like he's already gone in many ways, yet he's still physically here.

I read this book which helped, by giving me the words for what we are experiencing: "ambiguous loss."

The author addresses how difficult it is to cope with these types of losses. I'm not sure if I'm putting this link in correctly, so my apologies if I didn't do it right:

Loving Someone Who Has Dementia: How to Find Hope while Coping with Stress and Grief https://www.amazon.com/dp/1118002296/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aXVACbKPHAZZZ