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I'm so conflicted with the decision to start the admittance "machinery" that will ultimately place my husband in Memory Care.
DH (81) has Alzheimer's approximately 4-5 years and he started declining rapidly the last month. He has Prostate issues that necessitate he wear a Foley Catheter. He's been in the ER 5 times with UTIs since September 2020. When he's in the throes of a UTI he gets combative. I'm afraid he's going to damage himself or me. He struck me in the throes of a UTI pain episode - so uncharacteristic from the sweet caring man he once was. He's incontinent and has Sundowner's causing me to get very little sleep.
I'm worn out physically and emotionally. I'm 83, frail, live with consistent pain and I tire easily. I have asthma/COPD, and I've had 6 joint replacement.
I'm working with an Elder Law Attorney to properly place him, the attorney has been a godsend.
Thanks for "listening".

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Time, really.

It's unreasonable to expect anyone to provide 24/7 care for a dementia patient. For a "frail" octogenarian like yourself it's literally impossible. You're doing the right thing. Placement makes life safer for BOTH of you.
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You’ll have a team of caregivers.

You’ll be able to better care for yourself, which means you can just be his loving, caring wife again.

It will take awhile for you both to become comfortable.

Keep coming back here. We care.
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If your husband had a medical illness, you'd send him to the hospital without guilt. Yet he's mentally ill, physically aggressive, chronically ill with UTIs and wearing you out physically and emotionally, and you're feeling guilty placing him in Memory Care Assisted Living where he'll be properly cared for 24/7. Think with your head instead of your heart and you'll know you're doing the right thing. You'll go visit him often and spend quality time with him again as his wife instead of his caregiver. Everything will work out once you both adjust.

Good luck to you.
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