Hi all,
my 1st time posting here, I'm sure that this topic has been covered before but it's a traumatic day and I haven't got the time or energy to research.
My Aunt has dementia, 89 yrs, her son died at 4 a.m this morning, she lives with my cousin and her husband, my cousin is her main carer. My cousin is an absolute wonderful carer and daughter to my aunt. Today has been very hard, as every time my cousin explains the death of her son to my aunt, she forgets and 1/2 hour later she's asking when are they going to the hospital to see her son, then my cousin has to explain all over again, and the pain of this news is just as awful for my aunt as the 1st time she was told. My cousin spoke to their GP today, who said well I guess you will just have to keep telling her. My cousin is rightly exhausted but is the most patient and caring person I have ever met, therefore I'm posting on her behalf, to get some advice and guidance (as none has been given by my aunts GP!) as I know she will need help. My cousin, like me is not sure whether she is doing the right thing for her mother continually telling her that her son is dead. She knew her son was in hospital (was taken in 3 weeks ago) but didn't really understand how serious it was, will she eventually come to understand that he has died. My cousin does not get any help from anyone, as she has always been determined for her mother to stay at home and be cared for, but we (the family) are in undiscovered waters today and just don't know what to do for the best, for my aunt.
Advice of similar experiences or an explanation of what is medically best for my aunt would be appreciated.
I don't know if dementia is measured in anyway, to explain where my aunt is, she forgets who I am after 10 mins, she has breast cancer and doesn't know it every time she see's the breast consultant she thinks she's getting her cataracts sorted.
Advice for my cousin would be great. Thanking you in anticipation.
my 1st time posting here, I'm sure that this topic has been covered before but it's a traumatic day and I haven't got the time or energy to research.
My Aunt has dementia, 89 yrs, her son died at 4 a.m this morning, she lives with my cousin and her husband, my cousin is her main carer. My cousin is an absolute wonderful carer and daughter to my aunt. Today has been very hard, as every time my cousin explains the death of her son to my aunt, she forgets and 1/2 hour later she's asking when are they going to the hospital to see her son, then my cousin has to explain all over again, and the pain of this news is just as awful for my aunt as the 1st time she was told. My cousin spoke to their GP today, who said well I guess you will just have to keep telling her. My cousin is rightly exhausted but is the most patient and caring person I have ever met, therefore I'm posting on her behalf, to get some advice and guidance (as none has been given by my aunts GP!) as I know she will need help. My cousin, like me is not sure whether she is doing the right thing for her mother continually telling her that her son is dead. She knew her son was in hospital (was taken in 3 weeks ago) but didn't really understand how serious it was, will she eventually come to understand that he has died. My cousin does not get any help from anyone, as she has always been determined for her mother to stay at home and be cared for, but we (the family) are in undiscovered waters today and just don't know what to do for the best, for my aunt.
Advice of similar experiences or an explanation of what is medically best for my aunt would be appreciated.
I don't know if dementia is measured in anyway, to explain where my aunt is, she forgets who I am after 10 mins, she has breast cancer and doesn't know it every time she see's the breast consultant she thinks she's getting her cataracts sorted.
Advice for my cousin would be great. Thanking you in anticipation.
Last edited: