Has anyone been referred to a Geriatric Consultant? If so do they have any dementia training or could they recognise it?
My husband has not been diagnosed with dementia but a scan back in April 2013 showed considerable brain atrophy even taking into account his heavy drinking and his age.
He is a very controlling and emotionally abusive man so trying to negotiate a way through this is very difficult as I will not put myself in danger.We are together 24/7.
He has been on patches and morphine for the pain which seems to be oesteoathritus - they seemed ot have more or less ruled out bowel cancer and prostrate cancer although an MRI Scan is being arranged. The GP did mention a few weeks ago to me that he seemed confused, when he was lying down before being examined and he heard us whispering. This led to a very difficult weekend with husband saying I was not allowed to talk about him to the GP. The GP is struggling as the patches and liquid morphine do not seem to be helping so she is going to refer him to a Geriatric Consultant. He is also not co-operating re the lactulose and trying to keep him looked after is a nightmare. A district nurse came out to look at a potential bed sore, but he will not use the cream she has given him. He is now saying he wants to change GP's but I am stepping back as if I say how good I think she is, he will just get wound up. He really is in denial.
His weight is very low as he is living off the Fortisips. We are at different GP surgeries as he fell out with my GP w hen he said he seemed 'confused' so it is very hard to get to see his GP on my own. He is also not doing his teeth and frankly his breath smells horrible. I have got him a new toothbrush plus dental appointment to rule out anything dental but it appears to be simple lack of hygene I have tried prompting only to be told 'he does not have dementia' so have backed off now.
But even if he were offered a memory clinic appointment, he could not be 'made' to keep it could he? He has said he is going to see a solicitor to get in writing that he does not have dementia.But surely any solicitor could only say that he had 'mental capacity' at this moment in time? He often threatens things and does not follow them up but I do realise I need to walk on eggshells at any future GP appointments.
Thanks for reading. I am much younger than my husband and we have been married 27 years. He is frightened I think as deep down he knows something is wrong. I guess it has to get to crisis stage and he become a danger to himself or to me, before any action is taken against his will.
My husband has not been diagnosed with dementia but a scan back in April 2013 showed considerable brain atrophy even taking into account his heavy drinking and his age.
He is a very controlling and emotionally abusive man so trying to negotiate a way through this is very difficult as I will not put myself in danger.We are together 24/7.
He has been on patches and morphine for the pain which seems to be oesteoathritus - they seemed ot have more or less ruled out bowel cancer and prostrate cancer although an MRI Scan is being arranged. The GP did mention a few weeks ago to me that he seemed confused, when he was lying down before being examined and he heard us whispering. This led to a very difficult weekend with husband saying I was not allowed to talk about him to the GP. The GP is struggling as the patches and liquid morphine do not seem to be helping so she is going to refer him to a Geriatric Consultant. He is also not co-operating re the lactulose and trying to keep him looked after is a nightmare. A district nurse came out to look at a potential bed sore, but he will not use the cream she has given him. He is now saying he wants to change GP's but I am stepping back as if I say how good I think she is, he will just get wound up. He really is in denial.
His weight is very low as he is living off the Fortisips. We are at different GP surgeries as he fell out with my GP w hen he said he seemed 'confused' so it is very hard to get to see his GP on my own. He is also not doing his teeth and frankly his breath smells horrible. I have got him a new toothbrush plus dental appointment to rule out anything dental but it appears to be simple lack of hygene I have tried prompting only to be told 'he does not have dementia' so have backed off now.
But even if he were offered a memory clinic appointment, he could not be 'made' to keep it could he? He has said he is going to see a solicitor to get in writing that he does not have dementia.But surely any solicitor could only say that he had 'mental capacity' at this moment in time? He often threatens things and does not follow them up but I do realise I need to walk on eggshells at any future GP appointments.
Thanks for reading. I am much younger than my husband and we have been married 27 years. He is frightened I think as deep down he knows something is wrong. I guess it has to get to crisis stage and he become a danger to himself or to me, before any action is taken against his will.