Dear all
I am a 26 year old man living in London, and have a mother aged 57 suffering from dementia.
Her condition has been developing in the background for perhaps the last 5 years, although her symptoms only started to be taken seriously around 2 years ago. My father had an extra marital affair around this time, and subsequently left, which sent my mother into severe depression. What we now know is dementia was long misdiagnosed as severe psychological trauma (pseudo-dementia). Doctors found no signs of any organic problems on MRI scans, and the depression ended up to be a red herring.
She has been attending a day centre for people with severe emotional problems for the last year. However, in May of this year, an MRI scan showed signs of a dementive condition and she was consequently referred to the National Centre for Neurology, where she was taken in as an inpatient. We're waiting on precise results.
My younger brother and I are having ongoing difficulties managing care at home. We're being advised that we should consider full time residential care sooner rather than later.
Facing this prospect is difficult because I am torn apart by divergent emotions. While health & safety is increasingly a concern, the psychological benefits of being at home are huge, in my mothers case. She realises that she will one day have to move out of family house she currently occupies (5 bedroom and far too big for just her) but at the same time can feels comfortable here.
It does of course put huge strain on us, as she basically cannot be left alone for much longer than a couple of hours.
However I'm massively concerned about the idea of putting her into a residential home with people 20 years her senior. Psychologically, she is not quite ready for it, although in terms of her care needs, she is.
Are there any facilities in London that accommodate younger sufferers of dementia?
Can anyone who may have had similar experiences offer any advice?
What are the alternative solutions available, even in the medium term?
Many apologies for the rambling unfocused post, but any help much appreciated.
I am a 26 year old man living in London, and have a mother aged 57 suffering from dementia.
Her condition has been developing in the background for perhaps the last 5 years, although her symptoms only started to be taken seriously around 2 years ago. My father had an extra marital affair around this time, and subsequently left, which sent my mother into severe depression. What we now know is dementia was long misdiagnosed as severe psychological trauma (pseudo-dementia). Doctors found no signs of any organic problems on MRI scans, and the depression ended up to be a red herring.
She has been attending a day centre for people with severe emotional problems for the last year. However, in May of this year, an MRI scan showed signs of a dementive condition and she was consequently referred to the National Centre for Neurology, where she was taken in as an inpatient. We're waiting on precise results.
My younger brother and I are having ongoing difficulties managing care at home. We're being advised that we should consider full time residential care sooner rather than later.
Facing this prospect is difficult because I am torn apart by divergent emotions. While health & safety is increasingly a concern, the psychological benefits of being at home are huge, in my mothers case. She realises that she will one day have to move out of family house she currently occupies (5 bedroom and far too big for just her) but at the same time can feels comfortable here.
It does of course put huge strain on us, as she basically cannot be left alone for much longer than a couple of hours.
However I'm massively concerned about the idea of putting her into a residential home with people 20 years her senior. Psychologically, she is not quite ready for it, although in terms of her care needs, she is.
Are there any facilities in London that accommodate younger sufferers of dementia?
Can anyone who may have had similar experiences offer any advice?
What are the alternative solutions available, even in the medium term?
Many apologies for the rambling unfocused post, but any help much appreciated.