Three questions?

1) Is it hard to take your loved one to use the bathroom? No, when my wife was still walking, I would help her get to the bathroom, I would lower her clothes, I would make sure she was safely seated on the toilet. Then I would step out into the hallway. When she stood up, I would reenter the bathroon to make sure she cleaned herself and to help her get her clothes back on. I did not consider this process difficult. I would rather help her use the bathroom than clean her if she did not use the bathroom.

2) Does your loved one suffer from agitation? Yes, my wife takes medication (Lorazepam, generic Ativan) to control her agitation. Without this medication, my wife would literally yell ALL night.

3) Does your loved one hit you? Yes, during cleaning and dressing, she gets quite mad and grabs my hands or fingers. I am careful not to let her grab a single finger because she has the strength to break it. I try to turn her aggression iinto a playful “fight” by tusselling with her and calling her names, which is usually enough to end her angry behavior. I am a large man and my wife is a small woman, so I have no fear of her actually harming me in any way.

At my husbands current stage he can still do his daily needs, which I am very blessed that he can. In his early stage he would get very agitated and depressed. His Primary Care started him on Zoloft, I think 40mg, and it has helped him tremendously with both problems. His OCD is increasing so I think it may need adjusting but I don't want it to change his personality. We Laugh a lot at his corny personality but I love it. He thinks he has to keep front and back yard clear of leaves and pine needles so he is either raking or blowing the leaves" every single day" until it gets too dark to see. He's suffering with a lower pelvic hernia now and it is making it hurt and swell worse and he still will not quit until he does what he sets out to do. He will be having surgery soon to repair it. His temperament, for now, is gentle and caring for me. He has pushed me once but never hit me, yet. He just gets aggitated easily. I try to make it into a joke and that helps, for now. Its such a roller coaster of a disease.

My partner is like yours I n that his obsession is outdoor lighting. We have a "runway" full of lights. Also on the 2 decks. He is constantly buying new ones but will not let me throw old ones away. I have friends who will take my bags of used lights, boxes, old towels. You name it. He's a hoarder too. So much work to do. So little energy.