Hi,
Its been 2 years since my dad began to show confusion with time of day. He would finish work at tea time but after about 30 minutes of being in his house, he would be thinking it was morning and he was late for work. Before he was diagnosed, I don't ever recall my dad being off work ill and can't remember the last time he visited his GP. He's always been strong and always looked after himself.
Some of this "pull yourself together" attitude and tough outer shell must have rubbed off on me. I still find it hard to cry in front of my wife. So I do it when Im on my own where no one can see me.
In recent weeks my dads state of mind has deteriorated. Today was the worst I have seen him. He was so distressed and upset by what seem to be hallucinations. He often thinks there are other people in his house, telling him they are taking items of sentimemtal value away from him. Is this a common symptom of alzheimer's? Is it common to imagine there are people in the room with you and to obey instructions from them?
Up until recently, he seemed to manage quite well living on his own, with a daily visit from family to give him his medication and spend a few hours in his company. But the increase in the severity of the hallucinations makes me realize he needs more care. I will look after my dad and I will return all the love he had for me when I was growing up. I owe him that.
It's the first time I have ever done anything like this before. Im not one for opening up and telling a friend or a loved one that Im upset. But I reckon it will help to tell someone how I feel inside.
Martyn
Its been 2 years since my dad began to show confusion with time of day. He would finish work at tea time but after about 30 minutes of being in his house, he would be thinking it was morning and he was late for work. Before he was diagnosed, I don't ever recall my dad being off work ill and can't remember the last time he visited his GP. He's always been strong and always looked after himself.
Some of this "pull yourself together" attitude and tough outer shell must have rubbed off on me. I still find it hard to cry in front of my wife. So I do it when Im on my own where no one can see me.
In recent weeks my dads state of mind has deteriorated. Today was the worst I have seen him. He was so distressed and upset by what seem to be hallucinations. He often thinks there are other people in his house, telling him they are taking items of sentimemtal value away from him. Is this a common symptom of alzheimer's? Is it common to imagine there are people in the room with you and to obey instructions from them?
Up until recently, he seemed to manage quite well living on his own, with a daily visit from family to give him his medication and spend a few hours in his company. But the increase in the severity of the hallucinations makes me realize he needs more care. I will look after my dad and I will return all the love he had for me when I was growing up. I owe him that.
It's the first time I have ever done anything like this before. Im not one for opening up and telling a friend or a loved one that Im upset. But I reckon it will help to tell someone how I feel inside.
Martyn