After waiting nearly a year for a memory clinic appointment for my mum, she has finally been assessed as having Alzheimers. Only a couple of tests were undertaken and she and her sister, who went with her, were not asked any questions about other cognitive issues or behaviour. The assessment at the GP was much more thorough. She was prescribed medication, which they called her directly to collect from the pharmacy a mile away (which she cant get to as she would get lost). The tests they undertook showed she cannot recall any information. Her sister who was with her had to take the phone off her and demand they repeat what they had told her. How can an agency who specialises in dementia be so poor at understanding that? Had her sister not been there we would not have known she had been prescribed anything. Should we expect to receive anything more detailed from them re the diagnosis, re what stage, support etc? Or is that it?
Memory clinic, what to expect after assessment
- Thread starter Angela L
- Start date
Welcome @Angela L
The GP possibly forwarded their findings to the memory clinic, saving them from repeating the assessment.
I also imagine anyone who goes for this form of assessment would be accompanied.
The pharmacy can arrange to deliver all medication. If not that pharmacy, then another more local.
It does sound as if the opportunity to ask questions was not given , which is a pity, but apart from Attendance Allowance, which I believe is only available 6 months following diagnosis, and Community Charge allowance for a person with dementia, there is little more anyone can offer.
I hope this link will help.
www.alzheimers.org.uk
The GP possibly forwarded their findings to the memory clinic, saving them from repeating the assessment.
I also imagine anyone who goes for this form of assessment would be accompanied.
The pharmacy can arrange to deliver all medication. If not that pharmacy, then another more local.
It does sound as if the opportunity to ask questions was not given , which is a pity, but apart from Attendance Allowance, which I believe is only available 6 months following diagnosis, and Community Charge allowance for a person with dementia, there is little more anyone can offer.
I hope this link will help.
After receiving a dementia diagnosis
There’s a lot to think about if you find out you have dementia. Our advice explains what happens immediately after you're told, and how to access support.
www.alzheimers.org.uk
Hi. My experience (and it may be different in other parts of the country) was that the GP, mental health and social services teams don't talk to each other. I had a diagnosis from my dad of vascular dementia, quite advanced already and thought they'd tell his GP but they didn't. I'd strongly advise you to contact Adult Services at your local council and ask them for a capacity and a needs assessment. I waited and by the time I did get them involved they struggled to advise as they didn't know my dad at all and said they're usually involved at a much earlier stage. Dad's social worker from that point was brilliant...I just wish I'd known to contact them sooner. Good luck and best wishes. Its a minefield in many respects.
Sadly I had similar poor experiences with mum local memory clinic and had to complain via PALS for mums prescription to be released.
I’m afraid that it is not uncommon to be diagnosed and them shown the door. Some areas have quite a thorough support service but may don’t. The good news is that many on here can answer your questions and offer advice.
I’m afraid that it is not uncommon to be diagnosed and them shown the door. Some areas have quite a thorough support service but may don’t. The good news is that many on here can answer your questions and offer advice.
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It does seem to vary wildly from area to area. I believe my local Memory Clinic is good, but Mum won’t have anything to do with them. My Mum was initially diagnosed by the Memory Clinic during a period of hospital delirium. After that, she accepted one phone call from them when back at home, then flatly refused to engage with them. Dad did persuade her to accept a home visit, but they turned up while Dad was in the back garden. Mum wouldn’t let them in, and sent them packing telling them she didn’t have dementia before Dad knew they were there. The Clinic discharged Mum after that, presumably (and understandably) on the grounds that they were wasting their time trying to interact with her.
For us, the GP, and GP surgery-based Dementia Nurse, have been invaluable. Mum’s used to going there. The GP is good at slipping dementia-related tests and questions into more general health checks. The Dementia Nurse appointments can be presented as ‘routine medication reviews’. It’s much more achievable than trying to get Mum through the doors of a building plastered with the words “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” - both of which she’s convinced she doesn’t have.
So in short, don’t pin hopes on the Memory Clinic but travel optimistically. If it doesn’t work out - for whatever reason - there may well be other useful alternatives.
For us, the GP, and GP surgery-based Dementia Nurse, have been invaluable. Mum’s used to going there. The GP is good at slipping dementia-related tests and questions into more general health checks. The Dementia Nurse appointments can be presented as ‘routine medication reviews’. It’s much more achievable than trying to get Mum through the doors of a building plastered with the words “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” - both of which she’s convinced she doesn’t have.
So in short, don’t pin hopes on the Memory Clinic but travel optimistically. If it doesn’t work out - for whatever reason - there may well be other useful alternatives.
