RVing with early dementia

Some dementia progresses slowly over years. And they can continue to live a fairly normal life for a long time. Some advances very quickly once it starts. A long time friend began showing signs of dementia a year ago. It soon developed into full blown Alzheimer's. A month ago his wife had to move him to a memory care facility as she could no longer handle him.

Just be aware that you could experience either extreme, or something in the middle. Do live life to the fullest as long as you can and accept whatever life hands you.

I say find an rv you are comfortable driving and go! I watched my mother in law go through it. Horrible disease and I'm sorry you have to go through it. I'd get out there and make all the memories that you can.

I had a good friend that had dementia and they put him on different meds and he lived another 8 years or so more or less on his own. He drove from Seattle to Yuma every year by him self. He passed away from lung cancer last year. I miss him as he would come by my house sometime 3 times a day as he forgot he had already been by. He was 88 yrs old. No I don't recommend living by your self as he did although he talked to his Daughter daily sometimes forgetting that he had already talked to her twice that day. I would say go camping or whatever as long as you can and still manage your Husband. Live life as tho there is no tomorrow

unless getting a RV would not be economicly possible. Do it until you can't any more. Friends of mine just went thru it. They had some good trips, until she couldn't go any more. But it was worth it to them.

Hopefully your plans will be do-able but it depends on how quickly the dementia advances, as others have said. My mother survived only 9 months after her first diagnosis. Those 9 months were very hard on everyone. Have some good times for as long you can.

DutchmenSport wrote:
Depends upon how far advanced your husband is. If he is still in a mild stage, there is no reason why you cannot continue to enjoy a full life. He may have moments where he fells lost, but with you by his side, you can assure him everything is OK.

Unless he needs to be hospitalized, I think I'd continue living life to the fullest. It sound like you have a good and loving relationship. I'm pretty confident he doesn't want you burdened down, denying yourself a full and happy life. If and when the dementia becomes an impossible task to deal with, then consider returning home for long-term care. Until then, enjoy life and help him enjoy it too! You can both still fulfill all your dreams, travel, go places, and do things. He may have problems associating things together, but his life will be enriched also... rather than sitting at home fretting over everything negative.

This sums it up for me too!

Another question is how able are you able to drive an RV, take care of the setup, backing in and such?

Great advice Dutchman Sport

First, I am so sorry to hear this. Dementia is such a cruel condition. I agree with DS's idea of living life to the fullest, but be ready for the inevitable.
Best of luck to you.

Scott

Depends upon how far advanced your husband is. If he is still in a mild stage, there is no reason why you cannot continue to enjoy a full life. He may have moments where he fells lost, but with you by his side, you can assure him everything is OK.

Unless he needs to be hospitalized, I think I'd continue living life to the fullest. It sound like you have a good and loving relationship. I'm pretty confident he doesn't want you burdened down, denying yourself a full and happy life. If and when the dementia becomes an impossible task to deal with, then consider returning home for long-term care. Until then, enjoy life and help him enjoy it too! You can both still fulfill all your dreams, travel, go places, and do things. He may have problems associating things together, but his life will be enriched also... rather than sitting at home fretting over everything negative.