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My wife and I have are retired, but have been the full time caregivers for our 44-year-old son since 2022 when he was diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. He experiences short term memory loss.  In regards to the disease, does anyone know if 1.) He will always be experiencing such anger? and 2.) What can we do about him only wanting to sleep or watch TV? He has no motivation to do anything, but continues to say nothing is wrong. He says he is "retired" and doesnt need to do anything? Thanks!


We have not had a break in over 2 years and are becoming very tired and stressed.

Welcome to the group. If you’ve used your real names, please change that, it is ill advised on a forum like this. I hope you’ve researched and learned all you can about your son’s complex condition. Has his doctor assessed him to see if medication to help calm his anger can be used? Helping him feel calmer would be a gift to him. It’s unlikely he can see or understand his condition, that’s why he says nothing is wrong. Don’t waste effort trying to convince him. Mostly, consider you and your wife’s need to protect your own health and wellbeing. You’re no good to your son when you’re constantly tired and stressed out. Consider if he might need to move where professional help is available or at the least, bring in a helper to allow you breaks. You matter too
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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Call social services for your county and ask about getting him a court-appointed legal guardian -- assuming neither of you are already his legal guardian. Then the guardian will place him in a care facility and manage all his needs and the state will pay for it. I'm so sorry about your situation. May you get relief and receive peace in your hearts.
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Reply to Geaton777
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I'm sorry that you're having to deal with this in your retirement years.
I do hope that your son is being treated properly for this issue from knowledgeable doctors, and that if it was caused by him being an alcoholic that that too is being treated.
Caregivers have a 63% higher mortality rate than non-caregivers, so I do hope that you and your wife are doing everything you can to make sure that you're taking care of yourselves, as like already said, you matter too.
If your sons care is getting to be just too much for you both I do hope that you'll consider placing him in the appropriate facility where you can get back to just being his loving parents and advocate and not his burned out caregivers.
God bless you both.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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OPs first post

https://www.agingcare.com/questions/aging-care-provides-a-service-to-non-seniors-my-son-has-lost-his-short-term-memory-and-is-in-depress-489158.htm

Your son is going to need care for the rest of his life. As I said in your last post, you need to go to Social Services in your county to see what resources your son is entitled to. If caring for him is too much, you may be able to get him on Medicaid for in home care or even Longterm care in a facility.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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