My mum has been diagnosed with early onset alzheimers. She is 75 and started with memory loss about 5 years ago.
She lives with my Dad who is 74 and very fit and healthy. They only live a mile away from me and I'm an only child.
I 'mumsit' on a Sunday evening so he can go out and also take her out on a Thursday to give him a break.
She isn't that bad that she needs 24/7 care yet and can be left for a couple of hours a day without too much hassle (Dad writes down where he is going and what time he'll be back) although sometimes she forgets its written down!! Dad texts me to let me know where he is so if she rings me to ask where he is I can tell her.
The biggest problem at the moment is the 'repetitive strain injury on the brain' as I call it. She seems to get fixated on something and keeps asking the same question over and over again. I find it hard work and I know its not her fault and I try very hard to be patient but sometimes I get really wound up.
My real worry is for my Dad, my Sister-in-law has just lost her Mum from the disease but not before her Dad had a stroke, which has left him incapacitated. I don't want my Dad to end up like that!!
Friends are telling me to get help with carers now but I'm not sure Mum and Dad will accept that yet. Dad is quite good at burying his head in the sand and thinking we'll cross that bridge when we come to it but friends are saying we should get her used to it before she is too bad.
Can anyone give me a clue what to do please?
Thanks
She lives with my Dad who is 74 and very fit and healthy. They only live a mile away from me and I'm an only child.
I 'mumsit' on a Sunday evening so he can go out and also take her out on a Thursday to give him a break.
She isn't that bad that she needs 24/7 care yet and can be left for a couple of hours a day without too much hassle (Dad writes down where he is going and what time he'll be back) although sometimes she forgets its written down!! Dad texts me to let me know where he is so if she rings me to ask where he is I can tell her.
The biggest problem at the moment is the 'repetitive strain injury on the brain' as I call it. She seems to get fixated on something and keeps asking the same question over and over again. I find it hard work and I know its not her fault and I try very hard to be patient but sometimes I get really wound up.
My real worry is for my Dad, my Sister-in-law has just lost her Mum from the disease but not before her Dad had a stroke, which has left him incapacitated. I don't want my Dad to end up like that!!
Friends are telling me to get help with carers now but I'm not sure Mum and Dad will accept that yet. Dad is quite good at burying his head in the sand and thinking we'll cross that bridge when we come to it but friends are saying we should get her used to it before she is too bad.
Can anyone give me a clue what to do please?
Thanks