Hello - I'm a newbie and just found this amazing forum!
Bit of background info - my Father in Law has always been fit and active, taking himself for daily walks and was actually still driving up until last year. For a long while I have suspected that he was getting forgetful and my suspicions were confirmed about 6 months ago when I passed him when out walking with the dog and he didn't recognise me or his grand-daughter. Anyway the family asked for an assessment and he was diagnosed with both Vascular Dementia and Alzheimers which came as a great shock. Since then he seems to have gone downhill really fast - he has trouble dressing himself, cannot tie laces anymore, puts the teabag in the kettle, won't eat foods he used to love - the list goes on! The most scary moment we have had was a couple of weeks ago when he decided to go for a walk around the block and got lost - we had to call the police out and he was found wandering next to the river - eek! He is still in his own home and we have strategies in place with all the family taking turns in his care provision (I do the morning breakfast and cleaning) but every day seems to bring a new challenge. It is nice to think that if I need a bit of support I can maybe check in with you lovely folks even to let off a bit of steam - OH isn't taking this very well, the dad he knew is not here anymore (mentally that is) so I don't want to stress him anymore than he already is!
Wishing you a peaceful weekend - J x
Bit of background info - my Father in Law has always been fit and active, taking himself for daily walks and was actually still driving up until last year. For a long while I have suspected that he was getting forgetful and my suspicions were confirmed about 6 months ago when I passed him when out walking with the dog and he didn't recognise me or his grand-daughter. Anyway the family asked for an assessment and he was diagnosed with both Vascular Dementia and Alzheimers which came as a great shock. Since then he seems to have gone downhill really fast - he has trouble dressing himself, cannot tie laces anymore, puts the teabag in the kettle, won't eat foods he used to love - the list goes on! The most scary moment we have had was a couple of weeks ago when he decided to go for a walk around the block and got lost - we had to call the police out and he was found wandering next to the river - eek! He is still in his own home and we have strategies in place with all the family taking turns in his care provision (I do the morning breakfast and cleaning) but every day seems to bring a new challenge. It is nice to think that if I need a bit of support I can maybe check in with you lovely folks even to let off a bit of steam - OH isn't taking this very well, the dad he knew is not here anymore (mentally that is) so I don't want to stress him anymore than he already is!
Wishing you a peaceful weekend - J x