Hi, an intro

Loiner

Registered User
Oct 29, 2005
73
0
Leeds, UK
Hi, my name is David, I've looked after my 78 yo mother since 1992, as she has severe arthritis.
Mum always had the odd memory lapse but earlier this year it was july, I put her to bed as usual, but in the morning she was very confused and feeling ill, stayed in bed for about 2 weeks.
I called our doc and she thought it could be a minor stroke, but she didn't come out and see her.
I finally got her to come out in august and she got the hospital consultant to come and see her too. Mum went in hospital for a week, and apart from physio, and counting 20-1 a few times they did nothing else.
I asked them to scan her head but they refused.
They just said 'oh its mild senile dementia'
But they dont see what I do.
Having read some threads on here I see a lot of what she does.
She goes through boxes of paper hankies, folding and hiding them.
She get the names and gender of the dogs wrong, and has little or no memory of the prev day.
Today, i came from a nap, this afternoon, to find her thirsty looking for her glass, when she was holding it in her hand, took me 5 mins to get her to realise it was her drink, she kept wanting her 'other glass'
The other day she asked to be put to bed, I said I'll just go to the toilet, 2 min later, I am in the bathroom, and she starts shouting, can she go to bed. She'd forgotten I'd gone to the toilet.
Her long term mem is affected too, from getting my and my bros age and birthdate and day wrong, to the same for her parents.
I am glad I've found somewhere to talk as its like the person I knew as mum is gone, and we used to talk a lot.

Am annoyed with medical support, or lack of it, but at least have managed to arrange regular respite care for her to give me a break.
Thanx for any reply in advance

David
 

KarenC

Registered User
Jun 2, 2005
122
0
Los Angeles, USA
Welcome, David!
Loiner said:
I am glad I've found somewhere to talk as its like the person I knew as mum is gone, and we used to talk a lot.
Yeah ... it used to be my mom that I would talk to about things like, well, dealing with a parent with dementia. :eek:

Karen
 

Norman

Registered User
Oct 9, 2003
4,348
0
Birmingham Hades
Welcome to TP David,you are welcome to post and talk whenever you wish.
I think you must speak to your GP again.
Ask what do they mean by senile dementia?Sounds as if some one has poor knowledge of Dementia of which the are many different types, Alzheimer's being the most common.
You must ask the Gp for a referal to a consultant in old age psychiatry ,if Mother needs any medication the earlier treatment starts the better
Have a look at this fact sheet:
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/Facts_about_dementia/What_is_dementia/info_dementia.htm.
Let us know how you get on
Best Wishes
Norman
 

Loiner

Registered User
Oct 29, 2005
73
0
Leeds, UK
Actually it was the GP who said stroke, it was the geriactric consultant at the hospital who said dementia, I wanted a scan done to check for neurological changes, all they did was a normal x-ray.
Will chase my GP up tho
 

blue sea

Registered User
Aug 24, 2005
270
0
England
Welcome David
Sorry about your problems with the GP. As Norman says, go back and insist on a referral to a specialist. If you have't already done so, also contact social services for a proper assessment of your mum's needs and yours as her carer. This is your and her entitlement. have you applied for Attendance allowance? There are fact sheets on all this on this site. Get all the advice and help you can. I'm sure you'll find TP a great support - I know I have.

Blue sea
 

ironmaden

Registered User
Oct 27, 2005
22
0
cornwall
david

when i was reading your thread it sounds just like i am with my dad the more you read other peoples threads the more it sounds just like your mum well thats what i find and nerly all that i have read seems in a worst situation then i am i dont now if you think the same but i hope this tp helps you as much as it does me
 

Norman

Registered User
Oct 9, 2003
4,348
0
Birmingham Hades
David
as I said before you need a consultant in old age psychiatry not a Geriatrician which I would guess is what you saw originally.
That would acccount for his/her lack of knowledge about demintia
Norman
 

Sheila

Registered User
Oct 23, 2003
2,259
0
West Sussex
Hi David, yes Norman is right, ask to see a specialist in geriatric psychiatry. They would be able to tell you what is going on. It must be very worrying for you as you are some distance away. Coupled with your own problems it must feel like you are trying to climb a mountain backwards! Hope you can organise things between you and your other family members to enable you all to help your parents with this problem. Please keep us posted. Love She. XX