This is my first post and here so I would firstly like to say how glad I am to have found this site as I feel rather alone with mums diagnosis and feel I don't know where to turn to ask questions about it.
To give you some background, mum received a diagnosed of "advanced mixed dementia" (Alzheimers and vascular) in February this year. Prior to this she had memory problems for approx 2 years maybe longer.
To receive such a diagnosis was a big shock, that the condition had progressed to this point. It took us about 6 months long to get the apt to the memory clinic which was frustrating. I took the news badly and have not really been able to face up to it and be strong until recently, but I struggle daily with it.
Mum keeps asking how long has she got and what is going to happen? I've read bits on the net and gleamed about 7 years from start to finish but I really haven't got any idea at all and no one has explained this to either her or me.
Mum is on Ebixa which has helped but things are deteriorating (mobility and speech).
I know its different for everyone but would appreciate some idea of where we are at on the timeline.
I have looked up advanced dementia symptoms and I would say this is actually incorrect as she does not meet nearly all of the criteria. Should I challenge the diagnosis now or is it pointless? I just wish they had got it right as I have been very depressed since getting the diagnosis and have basically wasted the last 6 months by not seeing mum as much because I couldn't cope with it all.
Where can I go for advice? Who can explain the condition to mum? How long can someone have Alzheimers and Vascular Dementia?
Sorry for the long post but this is the first opportunity I have had to ask questions.
To give you some background, mum received a diagnosed of "advanced mixed dementia" (Alzheimers and vascular) in February this year. Prior to this she had memory problems for approx 2 years maybe longer.
To receive such a diagnosis was a big shock, that the condition had progressed to this point. It took us about 6 months long to get the apt to the memory clinic which was frustrating. I took the news badly and have not really been able to face up to it and be strong until recently, but I struggle daily with it.
Mum keeps asking how long has she got and what is going to happen? I've read bits on the net and gleamed about 7 years from start to finish but I really haven't got any idea at all and no one has explained this to either her or me.
Mum is on Ebixa which has helped but things are deteriorating (mobility and speech).
I know its different for everyone but would appreciate some idea of where we are at on the timeline.
I have looked up advanced dementia symptoms and I would say this is actually incorrect as she does not meet nearly all of the criteria. Should I challenge the diagnosis now or is it pointless? I just wish they had got it right as I have been very depressed since getting the diagnosis and have basically wasted the last 6 months by not seeing mum as much because I couldn't cope with it all.
Where can I go for advice? Who can explain the condition to mum? How long can someone have Alzheimers and Vascular Dementia?
Sorry for the long post but this is the first opportunity I have had to ask questions.