Jeff’s Story

Site created on October 28, 2021

Thanks for visiting Jeff Frasier, aka Mountain Dude’s CaringBridge site.  We want to keep our family and friends updated about Jeff’s Alzheimer’s Disease progression and the ups and downs that it brings.  This is not a request for donations, it is just a way to keep you updated, and for me (Lori) to keep a record of our journey as a family.  
Jeff was diagnosed in 2018 at age 52.  His diagnosis is Dementia caused by something I call a cousin of Alzheimers.  It is called SNAP:  Suspected non-Alzheimers Pathophysiology.  Basically, Alzheimer’s is characterized by the collection of plaques on the brain.  There are two types of plaque which are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, they are amyloid and tao.  SNAP looks & progresses just like Young-onset Alzheimers, but it does not include amyloid, just Tao.  Since this seems like a technicality to me, and it does not change either prognosis or treatment, I just tell people it is Alzheimer’s.  
At the time, he was mostly affected by memory lapses and increased difficulty in administrative tasks, such as invoicing for his business and keeping track of his finances.  In 2019 we sold his lawn sprinkler business and he “retired.”  He was still able to drive and do maintenance on our property and vehicles.  Gradually, he lost his mechanical skills and his ability to fix things, or complete tasks became more and more difficult.  While folks who see Jeff occasionally often comment that “he seems good,”. “He is just like himself,”. The truth is, he is not himself.  He loses a bit more of himself every day.  
Currently, Jeff does well with basic self-care.  He is fine on hygiene, he still does the dishes (yay!) and makes our coffee most mornings.  He recently has been raking the leaves and he keeps the concrete clear with the leaf blower just like always.  Each morning he struggles getting dressed.  It is common for him to have his shirt on backward, or put on two different shoes.  He is no longer able to put his belt through the loops on his shorts and often will opt for elastic.  Buttons and zippers are very challenging, so we try to leave things half-zipped or buttoned so he can just pull it over his head.  Often he needs help with this as well.  
One of the saddest losses for Jeff is his ability to fix things.  As most of you know he is a “car guy” and has been working on cars since his souped-up Pinto he bought when he was 13.  Today, he is completely unable to solve mechanical quandaries.  His ‘58 Ford looks great and he recently had all of the upholstery done.  Unfortunately it has some problems mechanically, and though Jeff can sometimes diagnose it at a high level “seems like the carburetor,”. He is stuck beyond that.  He also cannot work out how to find a mechanic, or place a call to a business on his own.  He has to lean on friends, and thankfully he has some great ones, to help with repairs or with sourcing parts and mechanics to help.  But it is still a big disappointment for him and he often gets frustrated.  due to memory lapses, he may also call a friend numerous times about the same issue, not realizing he has already done so.  
One of the aspects of Alzheimer’s of which I was unaware is a tendency to depression and anxiety.  At times Jeff’s anxiety will spin out of control about something no one else finds worrisome.  He also tends to think people are mad at him.  His first instinct if someone seems agitated or frustrated is that he must have done something wrong.  Sometimes he will think about an interaction he had years ago, like with a customer in his business, and get worried that he can’t fix something or help them.  
I found this YouTube channel of a lady who does a really nice job explaining Alzheimers and how to best understand and help patients.  Here is a short video explaining the stages as “gems”. Jeff is somewhere between “emerald” and “amber.”  I highly recommend Teepa Snow’s videos to anyone who wants to learn more about the disease, and especially for caregivers.  https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FZ6UVjp_y8HY&data=04%7C01%7C%7C6dfece8d95c04362305208d9b7aa2ab8%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637742763748974889%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=vdAD1mHQaSia0GvtdOtLH7n%2B9gxitVZ8ykvyv%2BZJ84A%3D&reserved=0


Jeff and I are so blessed to have people in our lives who are always asking how they can help.  Right now, there are 2 ways you can help.  
First,  and most important, come visit Jeff and spend time with him.  He loves to have friends visit & hang out in the garage chatting.  It feels normal, and normal is getting more rare.  Many of you know that you do not need an invitation, but if you want to text or call me to see when is a good time to stop by, my number is 303-249-1397.  Jeff is home most of the time, but he still goes to bed pretty early!  
Second, since I still work full time, Jeff is at a point where having some “companion care” for a few hours each day is very helpful.  Right now between 2 of our friends, we have 3 mornings a week covered.  This is not home health care, it is just someone to hang out, maybe run errands or help with a small project (i e hanging a picture, changing a light bulb).  If you know of anyone with some time and patience and wants to earn a little $$, let me know.  It could be 4 hours one day a week.  
Finally, we need your prayers.  The kids are doing very well with all of this, but it is truly a sad, sad thing to watch Jeff fade away slowly.  Please keep praying.  
I will try to update this Site about once a quarter.  In the meantime, do not hesitate to call or text me 303-249-1397.  

Newest Update

February 17, 2024

Journal entry by Lori Frasier —

Jeff has been in memory care almost 5 months.  He has settled in fairly well, but still sometimes gets very sad that he can’t live at home.  He is 20+ years younger than the other residents and hasn’t formed many friendships.  Visitors continue to be the bright spot in his life.
His dementia continues to progress at a noticeable pace.  Recently someone suggested that Jeff’s symptoms sound more like Lewy Body Dementia (LBD),  Once I looked into it, I have to agree, and while his doctors can’t definitively diagnose this, it gives me some information I use to help Jeff. With LBD, symptoms include memory issues, but not as severe as Alzheimers.  This explains why Jeff knows who he was and continues to recognize family and friends, while forgetting things that happened recently.  Another aspect of LBD is Parkinson’s-like stiffness and loss of balance and strength.  Jeff is no longer able to dress, feed, shower, go to bathroom etc. himself.   Here is a link with info on LBD.  https://www.lbda.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017_diagnostic_checklist_-_updated_criteria_v2_1.pdf?_gl=1*q113hf*_ga*MTg2OTUwNjQ2LjE3MDgxODAxODU.*_ga_3R4B0BZ6K3*MTcwODE4MDE4NS4xLjEuMTcwODE4MDIxMS4zNC4wLjA

One aspect of LDB which is different from Alzheimer’s is extreme fluctuation in functioning from day-to-day.  This is very unsettling for those who love Jeff, as he will be fairly cognizant one day, walking slowly but steadily, interested and interactive in conversation.  The next day he may be severely compromised, unable to stand or walk without assistance.  He may drool, have small hallucinations and can’t use his arms much.  He experiences anxiety almost constantly.  His strong work ethic is still there, he always thinks he needs to work on something or fix something.  He gets concerned that something happened to his ‘58 Ford and cannot be soothed.  Sometimes we have to take him home to see that all is well in his man-cave.  

Based on his fast progression, his doctor suggested that we have Jeff evaluated for Hospice care.  I initially freaked out - isn’t Hospice for when someone is at death’s door??  Turns out this is a common misconception.  Hospice is simply moving from trying to treat the disease to a focus on care & comfort for the patient.  After some long discussions with the nurse and doctors, we had Jeff evaluated.  Due to his inability to perform any of his major self-care functions, he qualified.  He will not move from Highline, but now he will get additional visits and care from Hospice professionals, helping him to eat, shower, brush teeth etc.  We will take him off of some of the medications, which don’t seem to be helping based on his advanced stage.  I am optimistic about this move.  Jeff loves one on one attention and the staff at Highline have limited ability to provide this.  Having the regular visits from Hospice caregivers will be a positive thing.  

So, kind of a lot going on.  As usual, if you are looking for a way to help, PLEASE VISIT JEFF.  If you would prefer to do this with me, I would love to coordinate a time to visit together.  My cell is 303-249-1397.  Text or call me and we can set something up.  I also want to give my heartfelt thanks to those who do visit, especially John Dunn who sees Jeff a few times every week.  God bless you, JD.  


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