home assessment

[suzynewt]

Mum has a home assessment today , what can we expect to happen ?

 

[Izzy]

Hi there.

I'm not sure if you mean that your mum is going to have a community care assessment. If so this fact sheet might give you some useful information -

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=131

 

[suzynewt]

Its the assessment she should have at the memory clinic but because she won't go they are coming to her home

 

[chris53]

Hello Suzy, pleased mum is having an assessment done at home by the CPN, maybe less stressful and confusing for both of you, the nurse will ask both of you questions, memory wise and general living and of course what you do for mum,also they will give mum a memory test as well as review any medication that she is taking..although all this should be done in a very sensitive manner, a home assessment will need to be done - maybe not today - but just to clarify that there are no hazards which can cause additional problems, please ensure you get a direct phone number and if possible an email address so you can update on how mum is doing, information on the out of hours services - should there be a problem, is a must!
Here is a factsheet which may help:-

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=260
Hope all goes well and please let us know how things went.
Chris

 

[chris53]

This is a general format for the "memory test"
Hope it helps

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=121

 

[suzynewt]

Well she's been diagnosed with dementia, has to have an ecg before she starts any meds and needs a brain scan ,the doctor couldn't get her to interact at all, the only thing she could remember was her DOB , I don't know how I feel about all this yet, I'm so confused .

 

[Miss shiraz]

Hi suzynewt
You probably have very mixed emotions right now. The diagnosis will enable you to access the right support. The brain scan confirms the type of dementia - whether its vascular dementia or Alzheimers then the right meds can be prescribed. I do think when they have memory tests that they fee anxious, under pressure, clam up and words don't come out.
My MIL was diagnosed just over 12 months ago and on reflection it came as no surprised based on her behaviours and poor memory. She doesn't remember that she has Alz and becomes anxious, stressed, upset when its mention, so we just refer to her memory problem as she openly admits her memory is terrible.
There are a number of useful fact sheets and info on this site as a starting point, but the folk on here have so much practical and emotional experience and are very willing to share. Just keep posting, asking questions and rant if you need to... we all need to at some point.
We were referred to the Alzheimers Society and whilst the advice and support helped us understand this awful illness, MIL really did not want to be there as she says she's ok and doesn't have dementia which is so far from the truth!
Oliver stone's book 'Contented Dementia' also helped me, but like any self help book you pick and choose what you adopt and changes you make. There are some TP'ers that don't agree with sone if his thoughts but its worth considering.

keep posting... its a journey and not an easy one. I'm sure others will be along soon with words of wisdom.