I have been following Talking Point for some months and have found it a great help reading about all the advice and support offered.
My 84 year old father was diagnosed with AD about 18 months ago. Initially he was prescribed Aricept but this was later withdrawn because of side effects and nothing else was offered. My main concern is that my 81 year old mother is his carer and she is finding it very difficult. I am an only one and live 90 miles away and am therefore not on hand. Dad has been in for respite care on 3 occasions now, but this just seems to make him more and more confused. Last time he asked the staff to ring home for him and then proceded to tell my Mum that someone had stolen the car. She was very upset about this. I then phoned the Home to tell him that the car was at his house with Mum and he promptly told me that Mum was downstairs (the care home is a single storey building). Since coming back from respite this last time he is convinced I still live with them (I am 50 and moved out 32 years ago)
What I'm trying to ask for advice on is is it worth all the up-set and confusion while he is in for respite care. Mum desperately needs these breaks but feels guilty about sending him away. They both come and stay with me regularly but I have stairs in my home and Dad is finding these very difficult to deal with now
To add to the problem Dad has very poor hearing and everything has to be said two or three time to him to get him to hear and then repeated on numerous occasions because he has forgotten. He won't wear his hearing aid because he can hear "perfectly well"!!
Thanks for listening
Jool
My 84 year old father was diagnosed with AD about 18 months ago. Initially he was prescribed Aricept but this was later withdrawn because of side effects and nothing else was offered. My main concern is that my 81 year old mother is his carer and she is finding it very difficult. I am an only one and live 90 miles away and am therefore not on hand. Dad has been in for respite care on 3 occasions now, but this just seems to make him more and more confused. Last time he asked the staff to ring home for him and then proceded to tell my Mum that someone had stolen the car. She was very upset about this. I then phoned the Home to tell him that the car was at his house with Mum and he promptly told me that Mum was downstairs (the care home is a single storey building). Since coming back from respite this last time he is convinced I still live with them (I am 50 and moved out 32 years ago)
What I'm trying to ask for advice on is is it worth all the up-set and confusion while he is in for respite care. Mum desperately needs these breaks but feels guilty about sending him away. They both come and stay with me regularly but I have stairs in my home and Dad is finding these very difficult to deal with now
To add to the problem Dad has very poor hearing and everything has to be said two or three time to him to get him to hear and then repeated on numerous occasions because he has forgotten. He won't wear his hearing aid because he can hear "perfectly well"!!
Thanks for listening
Jool