Memory clinic appointment

[Jessie107]

My Mother has been diagnosed with alzhiemers and has a appointment with the memory clinic tomorrow to discuss medication. The trouble is she is refusing to go and doesn't want any medication.
We think she needs it as her behaviour is quite verbally aggressive, not sleeping much, agitated and with little patience.
My question is, what to do now?
I know she will decline quickly with no medication, should I ring cpn?
I don't know what to do next.
Jessie

 

[marionq]

Won't do any harm to get advice from the CPN. I wouldn't discuss it with your mother but just take her out tomorrow for a coffee and by the way we have to call in here for a minute to let the doctor see that you are fine.

 

[Philbo]

My wife didn't like going to the memory clinic, as it was in the same building as the secure unit where her mum's partner spend time in, after being sectioned due to vascular dementia.

I did not tell her about appointments until we arrived there and said we just needed to pop in to get her BP and weight etc checked.

Best wishes
Phil

 

[Beachgirl]

My Mum never liked going to the Memory Clinic and if she knew a medical appointment was for that she'd refuse to go. So I'd just tell her she was going for some sort of routine check up instead and she seemed to accept that without any problem.

 

[Rosnpton]

My mum has been under local memory clinic for about 3 years. When she was at home, they did an outreach follow up once a year so if she didn't get to the hospital they would try and get to the home for a follow up.
She moved into a ch last April- when we had to take her in May it was horrendous. She wouldn't try to walk with her frame,was shouting etc. It took 3 adults to move one little old lady into the car just to get there! Once there (the ch rung ahead and warned them for us as to her state of mind) they took her into a break room,gave her tea and biscuits and did her 'check' while she thought she was just having a cuppa with them. We then had to get her back to ch. the appointment is coming around rapidly,and we are dreading trying to get her there.
Good luck
Ros

My Mum never liked going to the Memory Clinic and if she knew a medical appointment was for that she'd refuse to go. So I'd just tell her she was going for some sort of routine check up instead and she seemed to accept that without any problem.

 

[Kevinl]

It probably varies depending on where you live but here when this happens they send people out to see you at home in this situation.
My wife hated the memory clinic appointments so I'd plan to go somewhere she liked straight after and focus on that but we "just had to pop in the clinic on the way there".
So we'd go to feed the ducks, have a meal, visit friends but on the way stop in at the clinic to get her medication checked on the way, the point of going out was the treat afterwards not going to the clinic.
K

 

[Shiraz1]

Hi there, it's just so awful keep in there, I've just made sure my dads in bed so I can down some wine!!


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[Jessie107]

Thanks for all your replies.
Unfortunately every effort I made has had no effect on persuading her to go, all it's done is given her something to shout, scream and swear about. She was even shouting in the street yesterday about it while my sister took her for a walk.
So I have cancelled the appointment and asked for someone to ring me back.
I am hoping to get the medication dispensed in her blister pack without her knowing, we have health and welfare power of attorney.
Apparently, they can't give this medication until the pwd agrees to it, but my argument is that she lacks capacity to know that she needs and will benefit from taking it. After all isn't this why we have Power of attorney?
We are looking after her at home 24/7 and she is very difficult to deal with.
Regards
Jessie

 

[Margi29]

Thanks for all your replies.
Unfortunately every effort I made has had no effect on persuading her to go, all it's done is given her something to shout, scream and swear about. She was even shouting in the street yesterday about it while my sister took her for a walk.
So I have cancelled the appointment and asked for someone to ring me back.
I am hoping to get the medication dispensed in her blister pack without her knowing, we have health and welfare power of attorney.
Apparently, they can't give this medication until the pwd agrees to it, but my argument is that she lacks capacity to know that she needs and will benefit from taking it. After all isn't this why we have Power of attorney?
We are looking after her at home 24/7 and she is very difficult to deal with.
Regards
Jessie

Hi Jessie

I'm not sure if the memory clinic will do this in your area ?? But my mum refused point blank to go back to memory clinic and see ' that man ' she didn't like him, although I suspect she didn't like him telling her she had mixed dementia
Totally refused to believe what he said and we don't remind her at all.

But after a few months memory clinic wanted to do a review, they actually came to mums flat and did it. Mum was far more relaxed and the man who came did the test in a very easy caring way. Mum had scored 23 on first test when they came to flat she scored 21.

It may be worth it just to enquire about possibility???

Best wishes

Ps they did try mum with mematine, this made mum worse.

 

[Kikki21]

My mum has an appointment with the memory clinic this month. She decided she didn't want to go to the appointment a few months ago and nothing would persuade her otherwise as she has swollen legs and will not go outside. We had an awful job of getting her to the bank a few weeks ago - I didn't know that some of them will come to the house as that would make life so much easier.
Apparently they will be making a firm diagnosis at this appointment but she has got worse since when she was first seen, all they have commented on is that she has cognitive impairment!

 

[Shiraz1]

Hi there, on a different note..I sold my house to live with my dad, had a small annex built. Had a mate round, introduced him to my dad saying.. 'Remember who this is?' Next day his cutlery had gone missing along with his magnifying glass oven gloves you name it! So I can't have mates round unless we sneak in while he's asleep. All we do is talk about this awful disease but also try to have a laugh. My dad just wants just me at home......no intruders.


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[Shiraz1]

I meant that was what what my dad thought had gone missing...I found all items!


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[Mimi5]

In my experience with MIL "less is definitely more".

I keep her appointments in my diary and only tell her just before we go. Simple explanation no fuss, distraction if needed and simple language, like j"ust a quick blood pressure check at the G.P's and then we'll go to tesco".

More time to worry or more language to think over, just causes anxiety and stress.