Hi,
I'm new to this group today. My Mum seems to be in the second stage of dementia but we are not managing to get her a diagnosis yet - the doctor says we have to wait for a crisis point as she won't admit anything is wrong. She's also blooming brilliant at fooling doctors and friends that she's fine.
We started to notice personality changes and a slight difference to my Mum about 10 years ago but nothing major, then in the last 6 months she's started declining. Luckily my Dad is still strong and at home with her so she's managing day to day for the most part as long as she's in her comfort zone. If he wasn't there it would be a different story as he manages the issues on a daily basis - leaving the gas on, the oven on, losing keys etc.
The weirdest part is the loss of mobility - she often forgets how to walk down steps. She's fine if she's distracted and talking etc. but as soon as she thinks about it she gets frozen on the top step.
She cannot follow a recipe any more so every meal is a disaster. She doesn't need to cook but insists on doing it and then complaining that she hates it every time. My Dad has got used to eating burnt food!
She does make stuff up too - apparently she used to have a career on the stage...!
Animals form a big part of her thoughts - they've had 2 spaniels for 11 years and she has suddenly decided she doesn't really like them and would like a cat instead - keeps asking my Dad how long the dogs have left! She often sends cards to my cats with presents in She seems to have lost a lot of empathy for people, obsessing about animals and their welfare instead.
I recently took them both on holiday to get some quality time away, Mum couldn't find her way back to the hotel room once in the whole week. She took all of the wrong clothes with her and was exhausted by 3pm every day. I think it'll be the last time we go away like that but it was nice and a good break for my Dad.
I have LPOA for both my parents and thank god, only live 10 mins away but it feels like I lose my Mum every time I see her, it's like a never ending grieving process where she gradually slips away and withdraws from me more each time. She used to ring me 10 times a day and ask the same question but now I hear nothing from her unless I cal her. It's like she lives in a bubble, slightly on the outside of every situation.
Its very sad, i don't have children and do worry what will happen if this happens to me when i get older!
I feel for everyone out there suffering through this, it's a horrible disease with very little support for frightened people to get the right diagnosis - it's a big step going to the doctors to be 'tested' then tested again at a clinic when you know you don't have the ability to pass. For my Mum, i think if and when she ever gets diagnosed, it will be the end for her - she will lose hope and deteriorate.
I'm new to this group today. My Mum seems to be in the second stage of dementia but we are not managing to get her a diagnosis yet - the doctor says we have to wait for a crisis point as she won't admit anything is wrong. She's also blooming brilliant at fooling doctors and friends that she's fine.
We started to notice personality changes and a slight difference to my Mum about 10 years ago but nothing major, then in the last 6 months she's started declining. Luckily my Dad is still strong and at home with her so she's managing day to day for the most part as long as she's in her comfort zone. If he wasn't there it would be a different story as he manages the issues on a daily basis - leaving the gas on, the oven on, losing keys etc.
The weirdest part is the loss of mobility - she often forgets how to walk down steps. She's fine if she's distracted and talking etc. but as soon as she thinks about it she gets frozen on the top step.
She cannot follow a recipe any more so every meal is a disaster. She doesn't need to cook but insists on doing it and then complaining that she hates it every time. My Dad has got used to eating burnt food!
She does make stuff up too - apparently she used to have a career on the stage...!
Animals form a big part of her thoughts - they've had 2 spaniels for 11 years and she has suddenly decided she doesn't really like them and would like a cat instead - keeps asking my Dad how long the dogs have left! She often sends cards to my cats with presents in She seems to have lost a lot of empathy for people, obsessing about animals and their welfare instead.
I recently took them both on holiday to get some quality time away, Mum couldn't find her way back to the hotel room once in the whole week. She took all of the wrong clothes with her and was exhausted by 3pm every day. I think it'll be the last time we go away like that but it was nice and a good break for my Dad.
I have LPOA for both my parents and thank god, only live 10 mins away but it feels like I lose my Mum every time I see her, it's like a never ending grieving process where she gradually slips away and withdraws from me more each time. She used to ring me 10 times a day and ask the same question but now I hear nothing from her unless I cal her. It's like she lives in a bubble, slightly on the outside of every situation.
Its very sad, i don't have children and do worry what will happen if this happens to me when i get older!
I feel for everyone out there suffering through this, it's a horrible disease with very little support for frightened people to get the right diagnosis - it's a big step going to the doctors to be 'tested' then tested again at a clinic when you know you don't have the ability to pass. For my Mum, i think if and when she ever gets diagnosed, it will be the end for her - she will lose hope and deteriorate.