Hi all,
Looking for some advice. We have a history of Alzheimer in my mum's side of the family. Her mother was diagnosed in her 70's and her brother was diagnosed in his 60's and sadly passed away before he was 70. My mum is now 78; she has always been very sharp and intelligent but in the last couple of years she has been showing some well known signs of the early stages of Alzheimers (repeating the same things several times over, forgetting place and people names, asking what I take in my tea several times, etc).
It has got to a stage where a lot of friends and family have commented on it, some directly to my mum and others indirectly via my dad and sister. My dad has raised his concerns with her but she reacts extremely defensively to him and she just gets angry (slamming doors, etc.) when he mentions it (although tact and subtlety is not his strong point ). I have a brother and sister and we have all on occasion mentioned in a compassionate way that maybe she should consider going to the doctor to get checked out. At the time when we have discussed this she has mentioned that it could be a good idea, but then when we follow up the day/s following to make sure she has booked in, she backtracks saying things like "I don't think I forget things!" and so we return back to square one. As of now we have all tried and failed to get her to the doctor to get a diagnosis.
Having seen both her mother and brother go through Alzheimer's, being diagnosed herself is one of her greatest fears, so I completely understand her reluctance to be checked. At the same time all those closest to her want her to be checked so that she can get the support that she needs.
Has anyone on this forum had a similar experience? How did you eventully get your loved one to be seen?
Any and all advice gratefully received!
Thanks,
George
Looking for some advice. We have a history of Alzheimer in my mum's side of the family. Her mother was diagnosed in her 70's and her brother was diagnosed in his 60's and sadly passed away before he was 70. My mum is now 78; she has always been very sharp and intelligent but in the last couple of years she has been showing some well known signs of the early stages of Alzheimers (repeating the same things several times over, forgetting place and people names, asking what I take in my tea several times, etc).
It has got to a stage where a lot of friends and family have commented on it, some directly to my mum and others indirectly via my dad and sister. My dad has raised his concerns with her but she reacts extremely defensively to him and she just gets angry (slamming doors, etc.) when he mentions it (although tact and subtlety is not his strong point ). I have a brother and sister and we have all on occasion mentioned in a compassionate way that maybe she should consider going to the doctor to get checked out. At the time when we have discussed this she has mentioned that it could be a good idea, but then when we follow up the day/s following to make sure she has booked in, she backtracks saying things like "I don't think I forget things!" and so we return back to square one. As of now we have all tried and failed to get her to the doctor to get a diagnosis.
Having seen both her mother and brother go through Alzheimer's, being diagnosed herself is one of her greatest fears, so I completely understand her reluctance to be checked. At the same time all those closest to her want her to be checked so that she can get the support that she needs.
Has anyone on this forum had a similar experience? How did you eventully get your loved one to be seen?
Any and all advice gratefully received!
Thanks,
George