Dealing with mum with Dementia

[Rosemarie 60]

friday Tea time is bath night. I got to my mums and she said I was going to have a bath at 4 and now your here so I can’t.
I said well I’m here to make sure you have your bath safely so I ran bath ect.
after bath say 10 mins after bath she asked me why she was in her nightie? I said well you have just had your bath 10 mins later she is asking me again.
why do they not remember they have just had a bath.
im really not understanding this dementia .
is there some where I can learn about dementia?
im really struggling with all of this p,us worry about her when I leave her.
howdo you all cope?

 

[silkiest]

Hi @Rosemarie 60 ,
welcome to the forum. I think the answer to your question is "because we have to". You will find many threads on here where people people are finding it hard but they come here to let off steam with people who understand their problems and to get advice and support. People with dementia have trouble laying down new memories so they can struggle with what has happened a few minutes ago yet can describe things from the childhood in detail.
the Alzheimers society have a lot of factsheets that can be found at https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-factsheets/full-list
if your mum has been formally diagnosed then the local Admiral Nurses may be able to help. They are specialist nurses whose job is to support carers of those with dementia. Our local nurses ran a course with basic information a few years ago which was very helpful. If you cannot see them locally then there is a telephone helpline and email support at: 0800 888 6678, helpline@dementiauk.org

 

[Shedrech]

hi @Rosemarie 60
sadly it's often part of dementia that short term memory is affected ... so think of it that there's no memory created, and if there's no memory created it's not there to let the person know what they have done

there's lots of info on the main AS site, maybe start here

About dementia

Find the information about dementia you need to know, including symptoms, types, treatments and risk factors.

www.alzheimers.org.uk

and

Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline

Call or email our Dementia Helpline/Alzheimer’s Helpline for reassuring and practical advice from our specialist team of Admiral Nurses.

www.dementiauk.org

 

[Izzy]

I’m so sorry to read about your mum’s dementia @Rosemarie 60. As others have said there is a lot of information on the main Society site and Admiral Nurses are a great source of support. I thought you might find The Dementia Guide useful -

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/the_dementia_guide_872.pdf

Keep posting and browsing on this forum. Members here will be a massive source of support for you.