My Mother in Law has just been diagnosed with both Alzheimer's and Dementia and both my husband and I are at a loss where to start with best ways to support her. She has just turned 78 and lives alone and looks so lost when we go and see her. She also has a daughter who lives in Australia who used to call every Sunday but over the last 18 months has stopped calling as she "gets frustrated" as Mum can't remember anything. Does anyone have advice on the best way to support someone with these symptom's who has just been diagnosed but seems to be getting worse every day?
Advice Please
- Thread starter Parkerdog
- Start date
Hello @Parkerdog, you are welcome here and I hope you find the forum to be a friendly and supportive place.
What you say is a very common description of a person with dementia so you will get understanding here. I hope you have time to take a good look around the site as it is a goldmine for information. When I first joined I read old threads for information but then found the AS Publications list and the page where a post code search can be done to check for support services in ones own area. If you are interested in these, clicking the following links will take you there
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-factsheets-full-list
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you
You will see that there are Factsheets that will help with things like getting care needs assessments, deciding the level of care required and sorting out useful things like Wills, Power of Attorney etc., if any of that hasn't already been done. There is also a Dementia Guide in the list.
When it comes to communication issues a few handy tips can be picked from the useful thread that can be reached with this link https://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/threads/compassionate-communication-with-the-memory-impaired.30801/
If you have any specific questions just ask as I'm sure you will get replies
Now that you have found us I hope you will keep posting as the membership has vast collective knowledge and experience.
What you say is a very common description of a person with dementia so you will get understanding here. I hope you have time to take a good look around the site as it is a goldmine for information. When I first joined I read old threads for information but then found the AS Publications list and the page where a post code search can be done to check for support services in ones own area. If you are interested in these, clicking the following links will take you there
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-factsheets-full-list
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you
You will see that there are Factsheets that will help with things like getting care needs assessments, deciding the level of care required and sorting out useful things like Wills, Power of Attorney etc., if any of that hasn't already been done. There is also a Dementia Guide in the list.
When it comes to communication issues a few handy tips can be picked from the useful thread that can be reached with this link https://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/threads/compassionate-communication-with-the-memory-impaired.30801/
If you have any specific questions just ask as I'm sure you will get replies
Now that you have found us I hope you will keep posting as the membership has vast collective knowledge and experience.
If your Mother In Law hasn’t already had an assessment of care needs then it would be a good idea to initiate one. I’m not sure how these are being undertaken during the pandemic but this information sheet might be of help -
www.alzheimers.org.uk
Getting this kind of assessment should lead to her getting the help she may need regarding personal care etc.
I’m glad you’ve found this forum and I know you will get a lot of help and support here. Keep posting.
The care needs assessment: support for people with dementia
This page looks at how a person with dementia can get a care assessment, who does an assessment, how they are carried out, who makes the decision, and tips for making the most of the care needs assessment. It also explains the eligibility criteria.
www.alzheimers.org.uk
Getting this kind of assessment should lead to her getting the help she may need regarding personal care etc.
I’m glad you’ve found this forum and I know you will get a lot of help and support here. Keep posting.
