Hello! I've joined because I am concerned my spouse has dementia. He spent three weeks in the hospital recently after a rectal hemorrhage - 13 blood transfusions later and a diagnosis of diverticulitis, which caused a burst blood vessel in his colon. Totally unrelated to dementia - I know. However, prior to his hospitalisation, I had concerns. He is 75 years old, and his driving ability seemed to be "off"; he was sometimes trailing off mid-sentence when conversing, and he appeared to be struggling with experiencing empathy. But, since coming home from the hospital, he has been angry, forgetful, and struggling to remember things. He has mistaken the clothes dryer for a washing machine, seems to forget the directions to somewhere he may be driving, is distracted easily when driving, and is always angry at me. He lapses into "moods" where he won't speak to me for days on end.
I mentioned this to the doctor privately, but it will be six weeks before she sees him. On his last telehealth discussion with his doctor, I mentioned his driving, which sent him into total rage. That was a month ago, and he is still angry that I said anything. I am trying to talk to him, but it ends in tears (mine) as he has become verbally cruel.
The only family close by are my son and daughter-in-law, who have both mentioned that they are wondering if everything is okay. My DIL thinks it may be just depression and perhaps working memory dysfunction due to the hospital stay but both have identified it is not going well with him.
Apart from waiting to see the doctor, what can I do? I can no longer express my fears as they anger him. If the doctor orders tests and an MRI, this may be another excuse to be angry with me. I have no idea where to go with this.
His mother had Alzheimer's disease, as did his grandmother. His older sister is fearful she has Alzheimer's (but doesn't want a diagnosis).
I could use some advice if anyone has any, as I am fearful of his mood swings; I hate living like this, where we are not speaking for days on end; there is no joy in life at all. I have recently retired and very much wish I had not as I am isolated and mostly worrying this is all there is left.
I mentioned this to the doctor privately, but it will be six weeks before she sees him. On his last telehealth discussion with his doctor, I mentioned his driving, which sent him into total rage. That was a month ago, and he is still angry that I said anything. I am trying to talk to him, but it ends in tears (mine) as he has become verbally cruel.
The only family close by are my son and daughter-in-law, who have both mentioned that they are wondering if everything is okay. My DIL thinks it may be just depression and perhaps working memory dysfunction due to the hospital stay but both have identified it is not going well with him.
Apart from waiting to see the doctor, what can I do? I can no longer express my fears as they anger him. If the doctor orders tests and an MRI, this may be another excuse to be angry with me. I have no idea where to go with this.
His mother had Alzheimer's disease, as did his grandmother. His older sister is fearful she has Alzheimer's (but doesn't want a diagnosis).
I could use some advice if anyone has any, as I am fearful of his mood swings; I hate living like this, where we are not speaking for days on end; there is no joy in life at all. I have recently retired and very much wish I had not as I am isolated and mostly worrying this is all there is left.
