Hi
For info I have just signed up to the forum and seeking some advice and the benefit of others experience.
I am very concerned that my 82 year old dad has some form of dementia. He is physically fit and even runs three miles three times a week. He has always kept mentally alert by reading and crosswords etc .
His memory has be deteriorating rapidly over last two years and the rate of deterioration seems to be rapidly increasing. Examples include: unable to drive to a known and familiar destination; forgetting recent family events; confusion over simple and familiar tasks such as recording a TV programme; fussing over trivia and getting agitated over inability to do simple things; inability to remember basic info from one day to the next; erosion of confidence to deal with life.
I first took him to the GP a year ago when he was scammed on the doorstep and paid a thousand pound out (I managed to get the money back). The doctor ran through the standard memory test which dad passed and said there was no basis to refer on. My dad continues to deteriorate and last week I took him to the GP again - same test same response from the doctor.
My concern is that when the day comes when he fails the test he will be too far gone to benefit from any treatment to slow the rate of deterioration. I think we are in a Catch 22 situation.
Dad is devoted to my mum who last week fell and broke her hip and is currently in hospital. She already has severe osteoporosis. The stress of this has led to even more confusion and inability to take in and retain information.
My dad is the primary carer for my mum. We need to know if Dad has a dementia so we can plan and put support in place.
Any advice appreciated. I think I need to insist on a scan if this is only way to be sure? His mental deterioration is really shocking at the moment.
Thanks
Gary P
For info I have just signed up to the forum and seeking some advice and the benefit of others experience.
I am very concerned that my 82 year old dad has some form of dementia. He is physically fit and even runs three miles three times a week. He has always kept mentally alert by reading and crosswords etc .
His memory has be deteriorating rapidly over last two years and the rate of deterioration seems to be rapidly increasing. Examples include: unable to drive to a known and familiar destination; forgetting recent family events; confusion over simple and familiar tasks such as recording a TV programme; fussing over trivia and getting agitated over inability to do simple things; inability to remember basic info from one day to the next; erosion of confidence to deal with life.
I first took him to the GP a year ago when he was scammed on the doorstep and paid a thousand pound out (I managed to get the money back). The doctor ran through the standard memory test which dad passed and said there was no basis to refer on. My dad continues to deteriorate and last week I took him to the GP again - same test same response from the doctor.
My concern is that when the day comes when he fails the test he will be too far gone to benefit from any treatment to slow the rate of deterioration. I think we are in a Catch 22 situation.
Dad is devoted to my mum who last week fell and broke her hip and is currently in hospital. She already has severe osteoporosis. The stress of this has led to even more confusion and inability to take in and retain information.
My dad is the primary carer for my mum. We need to know if Dad has a dementia so we can plan and put support in place.
Any advice appreciated. I think I need to insist on a scan if this is only way to be sure? His mental deterioration is really shocking at the moment.
Thanks
Gary P