http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/ A discussion forum for people with dementia and their carers en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:42:09 GMT vBulletin 1 http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/styles/aria/misc/rss.jpg http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/ http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19853&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:48:38 GMT my son looked after trev tonight whilst i took daughter on shoping trip to buy outfit for wedding tomorrow , talk about last min , have not been to town for about 3 years this was exiting for me, we walked though the doors off tk max i saw this dress and said thats the one and within 5 mins had... my son looked after trev tonight whilst i took daughter on shoping trip to buy outfit for wedding tomorrow , talk about last min , have not been to town for about 3 years this was exiting for me, we walked though the doors off tk max i saw this dress and said thats the one and within 5 mins had bought the dress, she looked so beautifull, very simple think Audrey Hepburn in breakfast at tiffanys, we bought shoes killer heels, hat,seamed stockings pearls earings in the space of an hour, had time to by grandsons bike for christmas also, i really enjoyed tonight arrived home trev was soiled but that was not going to spoil my night, 22 month old grandson wanted to help his grandad, he took his shoes off, i have so much to be thankfull for, am going to bed a happy bunny tonight for a change, pam ]]> Support for people with dementia and their carers sad nell http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19853 http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19852&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:33 GMT My dad recently went into a care home, last week actually. The home said they have stages 1-4, that's what they base it on in the home. My dad is at stage 2 they said. Dad is currently 79 years old. I think he didnt develop it until later in life rather then earlier, maybe it gradually started over the last few years but was very gradual process and not instant, and hard to even detect for a long time. Its only recently when he was diagnosed for definite by doctors with it that we were then sure. I wonder cause he got it later in life that maybe he wont get much worse, well I hope not but I don't know. This is where he is at now:

you can have a normal conversation with him about stuff.
But then he will say something crazy that makes no sense.
EG: my dad asked my husband if he had any luck getting work back in the post office? Husband said not yet but I have applied. Then my dad turned round and said, the government came here to ask me to join then in the post office but I told them there are others out of work ask them instead, and then dad said, they also announced me in the newspaper asking me to work for the government.

So you see, dad asked a perfectly normal question and after my husbands reply, then dad imagined it was him with this job, when dad used to be a long distance truck driver years ago and never even worked for the post office. So there is no connection there with dad and the post office.

Then when I rang the home tonight to ask dad how he is. He came on the phone and said, I am fine yes, I said, what are you doing, the nurse said to me, he is watching a film in his room. Dad said yes I am, but he did not know what exactly it was he was watching and could not name the film and then said, I am in the pub now and my mate is sitting at the bar waiting for me on the stool. Then I said to him, do you know where you are? he asked the staff there where he was, she said, Moderator's note: name of care home removed and dad said, Moderator's note: name of care home removed pub. I'm in the pub. The people here are regulars.

So he hallucinates.
Not aware of where he is and imagines he is somewhere else. Before he got sick he used to go out with his friends to this social club every week.

But you can have a conversation with him and he will even ask how we are, how my husband is, and even remember that my hubby was looking for a job in the post office.

But I noticed when some of the residents there were sitting around a table with xmas paper, dad was sitting on the table alone and said he could not be bothered to sit with them and join in. And seemed to be in a daze unless someone spoke to him first, then he answers normally and you would not know anything was wrong with him. There are some there much worse then my dad and my dad seems quite normal compared to some that are very sick. But you know my dad is sick when he comes out with crazy stuff as eg above. and he cant look after himself much any more.

He can dress and wash himself and knows what appropriate clothing to wear as well, but he has to be encourages to do all these things now, otherwise he wont bother. Like a child I guess making them clean their teeth and get dressed.

But the strange thing with dad is, an old lady came up and she must be very sick with dementia, as she didn't speak but just came over, and my hubby gave her the chair but she didn't sit in it and then just started feeling the newspaper and then walked off and was pulling the door and then walked back to us, felt my hubbies arm and then walked off again. Of course we took no notice and spoke to her but I dont think she can speak or comprehend words anymore, but when I went to the toilet my dad said to my hubby, god, nosy cow, my daughter should smack her one, keep coming over like that and touching things, my hubby said, she is an old lady she cant help it, she is sick. but my dad could not recognise this and just saw a nosy old lady and not someone who is very sick. Which was a bit upsetting really. Cause years ago my dad would help elderly people and say, poor old lady and stuff like that.

Do you think as time goes on he will get worse? or will the illness stay at this stage? cause after all he is 79 now. But he is like a completely different person now really. His lively personality has gone.

Even though my dad is still friendly with staff and polite, I also see a kind of bad attitude with him as well, like eg above of the old lady. Like he don't want to join in with any activities with other residents, its the I cant be bothered attitude, we wanted to show him the upstairs as there are more residents upstairs he could meet but again, he said, I cant be bothered to go up there. I take it its the illness made him like this. Cause he seems like a totally different person now. But the last year or so when dad lived at home he would sit in front of the tv for hours not moving and then we noticed he was not changing his clothing and then when he was in and out of hospital that's when I realised he was sick. Cause he had done same things for years when his job ended, in front of TV, so it was hard to detect that he was sick. Its only when the house got dirty and he was getting dirty clothing himself cause before that he was a very proud person, always washing his own clothing and shirts and even ironed his socks.

Yet years ago he was very chatty and friendly with everyone as well and now he is very quiet and only speaks to anyone if they speak to him first or ask him questions.

Thanks for your help. ]]> Support for people with dementia and their carers Ladywriter1968 http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19852 http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19851&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:32:43 GMT I care for my neighbour who is currently taking Aricept 5mg. I have recently started to notice that things are getting worse. I have taken over both her and her husbands meds via their doctor and pharmacy too (all above board, I want to add). I love them to absolute bits and want to help but I... I care for my neighbour who is currently taking Aricept 5mg. I have recently started to notice that things are getting worse. I have taken over both her and her husbands meds via their doctor and pharmacy too (all above board, I want to add). I love them to absolute bits and want to help but I honestly dont know enough about this disease or where to begin. Any help would be REALLY appreciated. She is also taking Seroxat which I know from personal experience (not mine) is a very hit and miss drug. Any advice????? HELP X ]]> Support for people with dementia and their carers Twiglet6303 http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19851