OT: Dementia

[bert]

If you haven't already done so contact Alzheimer's Society - they deal with all types of dementia. Your supposition is totally feasible but remote diagnosis is a bit difficult.

[F]

Sorry, but with dementia, there are no straight answers.

[Brian Gaff]

Well there are tests for the various types but often the mere mention of giving them frightens people and they flatly refuse to take them. I personally would go with your instinct. although certainly any trauma can make it come on faster, it is normal quite slow and the issues are more than just memory loss. Lots of people have problems with short term memory when older, but can recite whole poems learned when young.

It is a hard one, but from what you say, he may be just finding life hard and maybe some kind of outside help for him when the other family members are not available might help him become less stressed and hence less likely to have issues. Most people are scared of aging in the brain and what it brings. Even I notice it can take longer to come up with a name or I'll skip doing something I was about to do. the old joke of putting the screwdriver in the fridge and the milk in the toolbox.

It might be worth asking her if she thinks he is suffering from the stress of late, not mentioning dementia at all. Brian

[Brian Gaff]

I think his keyboard is suffering from key irritation. I think it translates to what does the GP think. I was wondering if your mother can do crosswords or read the paper or do puzzles? Also both parents at that age need a sight and hearing test. Sight can be preserved if macular is just starting and there are some symptoms of sight loss that can make a person see things. Its most certainly not dementia its Charles Bonnett syndrome.

Also if hearing is affected then he may not always hear what she says. The brain is very clever at making you see and hear what it thinks you need to, and often it has nothing to do with dementia, quite the opposite in fact! Brian

[Brian Gaff]

That is unhelpful. They should not be doing that. Tackle the social services on it. I had to do this with my Grandmother and basically read them the riot act and they then told me she was seeing things and I got her eyes tested. Do not take no for an answer, put up a united front. the old experts know best is an old entrenched view that does not cut it under the care act. Brian

[The Natural Philosopher]

Could well be.

I have a friend who gets irritated with me because i can't renmember what he has told me. A lot of the time he hasnt told me or told half a story.

Deaf people think you are mumbling.

Dementia people think people are mysteriously moving stuff around.

[Chris Bartram]

Might I suggest that you strongly consider both a Health & Welfare and Financial Lasting Power of Attorney for both parents as a matter of urgency? That will enable you to deal with healthcare professionals on their behalf. Both will be pretty much essential as things worsen (which, sadly, they will).

If both parents are still mentally competent you don't need a solicitor; you can complete the forms online.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Dri9vin g my late mother through Nemarket ob te way to Harwich dshe aksed 'what townm is this?

I said 'Edinburgh'.

Various members of the family went dead quiet.

After a short pause she said 'It doesn't look like I thought it would'

That was when we knew we had a problem.

[AnthonyL]

Blimey, if I don't write it down it never happened :(

[spuorgelgoog]

If I don't write it down and email it to myself and can't find the email again ...

Owain

[harry]

It's good to get them involved in social groups. Actual ones I mean, not on the internet.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

She wasn't unique in not understanding you? No surprise if you talk like you write.

[Bill Wright]

Symptoms of dementia I have witnessed: Convinced the windows have a green growth on them, frantic attempts to remove it Boiling milk in the kettle Converting a gramophone into a miniature roundabout and watching it for hours Escaping from the Home and roaming the town in her nightie and slippers Standing up and making a long and totally unintelligible speech at her

98th birthday party (this from a woman who was a hero in the war) Hiding faeces in the kitchen drawer Driving through the village throwing newspapers out of the window Eating dog food Seeing imaginary spiders everywhere.

Bill

[charles]

calling on neighbours after dark saying an owl has told her to get out of the house.

Ringing a neighbour up at 4 o'clock asking her round to tea - trouble was it was 4am!

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Losing track of the time (and day etc) is a pretty common early sign.

[F]

+1, especially in Summer: 8am or 8pm?

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Remember going home on a visit. Mum - then near 90 - came into my bedroom with a twinkle in her eye saying 'Are you going to stay in bed all day - I want to catch up, and breakfast is on the table' It was 3.30 AM and still dark.

[TimW]

My experience - echoed by many in real life - of trying to get a GP to diagnose dementia was that they were very unwilling and nearly useless. Family and people who know the patient will see the months and maybe years before a doctor.

You can take them to the doctor and they will ask a small number of questions like 'what is the name of the queen'. Patient gets 7/10 and they say that's okay then.

TW

[Chris]

Peter took the trouble to properly read through the post and addressed the *actual question* I asked. Remarkably, nobody else did!

[Cursitor Doom]

Yeah, you needed a new satnav. :-D