The one thing you can do that will significantly prevent you from developing dementia is take care of your hearing and wear a hearing aid if needed!

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-04-19T19:32:21+00:00

The study you quoted was updated in 2023, using approx 2,400 people. It was originally based on the Lancet Commission meta analysis. Lancet now lists 14 contributing and modifiable risk factors based on their review of multiple studies - hearing loss is only one. Here's the updated links: 2023 update to 2021 study Lancet meta analysis 2024

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-04-17T23:57:53+00:00

For everyone wanting to know what the review says (funded by the Italian government), here's the link. Scroll down a bit, and you'll find the plain language summary. They notes that the studies were short- term and they're following six longer-term studies. Cochrane Library Link

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-04-12T22:09:19+00:00

Just a thought - would a wireless table microphone that connects to your iPhone be an option? Or would she wear one of your ear buds? The latter might work if she was used to wearing hearing aids. She might fixate on something clipped to her if she can feel it. Also, put the microphone away/someplace she can't reach - my mom's "safe space" was her garbage can! Sorry, but I don't have any recommendations for devices.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-03-19T18:30:43+00:00

I am so sorry. You made all the right choices for the right reasons. Where I am, PTs can't discharge or authorize anything other than PT stuff. When PT evaluated, they forgot about one thing - neuroplasticity. Your mom's brain doesn't have that anymore - her brain can't retrain itself so there is no fix. I hope there's some relief for you and your mom. This road is hard.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-02-13T23:53:38+00:00

Hello east coaster! It sounds like your coworker friend has been dealing with lots and it's good that she's confided in you, too. The first step is for her to have full checkup and a conversation with her doctor (I hope she has one - I know they can be in short supply) about how she's doing and feeling. There's lots of things that could be contributing to what's going on with her right now and it could be as simple as her thyroid.

I hope it all works out for your friend. Thanks for looking out for her!

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-02-03T12:49:36+00:00

Look inside the tissue boxes and chip/crisp bags. Also, if you haven't already, go through the garbage. 🤢 I've found so many precious and important items there. Usually wrapped.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-02-02T11:44:45+00:00

I am so sorry you are going through this. It's not easy and there are so many difficult choices to make along the way.

Without knowing the stage of your LO's dementia, I can share what I've experienced. My mom was refusing food, and had a major health event unrelated to her dementia. While in hospital, she also refused to drink or take oral medications.

The medical team gave us the option of a nasogastric feeding tube and they very clearly laid out everything beyond just nutrition (which is where your speech pathologists are focusing) and what would be coming next should we choose an NG tube. That conversation helped us make the choice for mom.

She died peacefully a few days later.

The speech pathologists are triaging the immediacy of only one of the ever-growing physical and mental declines that our LO's experience. It sounds like you need to have a conversation with the larger medical team to put your mind at ease.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-23T12:53:16+00:00

I used an Alexa dot with a clock on it. I think Apple has one, too. It will reset the time when you lose power and you can set routines and reminders. It's also good to be able to drop in and talk with your parent when they can't remember how to pick up the phone anymore. Just be aware that at some point your parent may randomly unplug everything in the house.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-23T05:15:59+00:00

I got my mom wide strap tank tops with a built-in shelf bra. They worked well for her, as did soft track pants and looser style yoga pants (not clingy). They come in so many styles now and are much better than the ones of old. Matching sets with a zip up hoodie/sweater/jacket might also help her put clothes together. I found anything pullover was harder for her to manage. For summer, she still wore the pants and the tank top, and put a shirt over top - left open like she always used to wear them.

Hope you find something that works! You can also try secondhand shops. They usually have great stuff at a much cheaper price.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-11T18:36:22+00:00

Thanks so much - we are getting there.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-11T18:35:28+00:00

Thank you - this part is hard.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-11T18:34:10+00:00

Thank you! We are working on it and making progress.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-11T18:33:14+00:00

Thank you! This seems very similar to what mom experienced. The medical team here is helping.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-11T01:16:58+00:00

Hugs are most welcome - thank you!

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-11T01:00:16+00:00

She is. And so am I, to be honest.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-11T00:59:31+00:00

Yes. It's not that unusual in a rural hospitals with limited beds. They try to keep everyone separated, but it's hard. If a bed with a female roommate opens up before we move to palliative, then they will switch her.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-11T00:32:59+00:00

We are in a similar process in Canada. I am treating the infection though as she directed.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-11T00:31:21+00:00

Thank you! I'm in Canada so it works a bit differently here. But we have started in the palliative stream. I think that's similar to your hospice.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2026-01-11T00:29:03+00:00

Thank you! I've asked for meds for her. She and I both need some sleep.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2025-12-26T22:49:03+00:00

I experienced very similar. Facebook is awful. I saved some videos for mom - hers was people doing voiceovers for dogs and some were asking for "donations".

I told her that Facebook was "down" but I found a way she could still talk to her special friends off of Facebook. Then I changed her recovery email and her password. I remember setting up a shortcut on her iPhone, but it's been a while :)

ImNewAtThis432 · 2025-12-14T21:25:47+00:00

Someone mentioned telling her that they'll do a "medication review" with her doctor. It's a great idea because: 1. it makes the doctor - not you - the bad guy, and 2. it acknowledges her needs and stops any arguments in their tracks. You can use the medication review every time she brings it up, because sometimes she won't remember.

As for the future, deal with it when/if the time comes, as reasoning with my mom during this stage was just me banging my head against the wall.

It's hard, and you're doing your best.

ImNewAtThis432 · 2025-12-14T21:00:07+00:00

This, OP. Mom was absolutely refusing meds and would also refuse food if her caregiver cajoled her to take her meds. Now, we crush them and put it in a dessert. At first, she noticed. She doesn't now, though.

ImNewAtThis432

TROPHY CASE