Hi everyone - think it's about time I joined a support and information forum. Here is some information about me and my family.
My mum was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's around 3 years ago, but it was clear she had it some years before that, I would say she has been living with it for around 6/7 years, and probably should have had the diagnosis around 5 years ago - but I think her and Dad were understandably reluctant to face this at the time.
My parents are both 87 years old - Dad is sprightly, an ex-sportsman whilst Mum is very frail and has trouble walking due to her very poor balance issues and frailness. My Dad is her caregiver, and I live about 90 minutes from them and pre-Covid would pop down every weekend to see them and give Dad some time off from caring. Between lockdowns I would meet them in a pub or the golf club and sit away from them but still be able to spend time with them. The new lockdown means we are back to phone/Skype as I am not comfortable visiting them in their home, and neither is my Dad.
In 'normal' times Dad takes Mum out every single day, visiting the pub, social clubs and Caregivers Cafes so they see people and interact with friends, but he is now unable to go anywhere with her, bar taking her for a daily ride in the car to familiar places.
Dad is a proud man and likes to take everything on, and is reluctant to ask for help. Mum is at the stage where she has started getting distressed at night, wondering where she is and then getting dressed to go out. She still knows who we are...though I think she is forgetting her son (my brother) as he lives in Austria and he has not been able to come home since February due to Covid.
I think my first question is...is there anything we can do to help with her confusion at night? Does anyone have any tips and guidance? Thank you x
My mum was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's around 3 years ago, but it was clear she had it some years before that, I would say she has been living with it for around 6/7 years, and probably should have had the diagnosis around 5 years ago - but I think her and Dad were understandably reluctant to face this at the time.
My parents are both 87 years old - Dad is sprightly, an ex-sportsman whilst Mum is very frail and has trouble walking due to her very poor balance issues and frailness. My Dad is her caregiver, and I live about 90 minutes from them and pre-Covid would pop down every weekend to see them and give Dad some time off from caring. Between lockdowns I would meet them in a pub or the golf club and sit away from them but still be able to spend time with them. The new lockdown means we are back to phone/Skype as I am not comfortable visiting them in their home, and neither is my Dad.
In 'normal' times Dad takes Mum out every single day, visiting the pub, social clubs and Caregivers Cafes so they see people and interact with friends, but he is now unable to go anywhere with her, bar taking her for a daily ride in the car to familiar places.
Dad is a proud man and likes to take everything on, and is reluctant to ask for help. Mum is at the stage where she has started getting distressed at night, wondering where she is and then getting dressed to go out. She still knows who we are...though I think she is forgetting her son (my brother) as he lives in Austria and he has not been able to come home since February due to Covid.
I think my first question is...is there anything we can do to help with her confusion at night? Does anyone have any tips and guidance? Thank you x