I am concerned that my mother has dementia and would be grateful for some advice on how to proceed.
I live and care for my mother, who is 84 years old.
6 months ago, her husband(my father) died after 64 years of marriage and she has obviously found it difficult.
At first I put her memory lapses down to stress and grief but she has difficulty remembering her telephone number and postcode (she has lived here for 16 years) and often watches a television programme one night and then denies she has seen it the next night when it is repeated.
No matter how carefully I word what I say, she seems to find any excuse to start an argument with me and then blames me for creating situations. At first I thought it was just the grief & stress but it is getting worse not better.
Her long term memory seems unaffected but she struggles with more recent events.
She has always been feisty and difficult to get on with and I know that if I suggest she get tested for dementia, not only will she be very upset (logically) but she will also explode and rant at me for days accusing me of wanting to "put her in a home" ( I don't)
My siblings (one lives abroad and the other 35 miles away) do not agree entirely with my diagnosis although the one who lives in the UK admits they have noticed the memory lapses but puts it down to old age.
How do I proceed ? Do I ignore it or do I get in touch with her doctor and tell them what I think behind my mother's back ?
I have been living and caring for my mother for the last 11 years.
Thanks
I live and care for my mother, who is 84 years old.
6 months ago, her husband(my father) died after 64 years of marriage and she has obviously found it difficult.
At first I put her memory lapses down to stress and grief but she has difficulty remembering her telephone number and postcode (she has lived here for 16 years) and often watches a television programme one night and then denies she has seen it the next night when it is repeated.
No matter how carefully I word what I say, she seems to find any excuse to start an argument with me and then blames me for creating situations. At first I thought it was just the grief & stress but it is getting worse not better.
Her long term memory seems unaffected but she struggles with more recent events.
She has always been feisty and difficult to get on with and I know that if I suggest she get tested for dementia, not only will she be very upset (logically) but she will also explode and rant at me for days accusing me of wanting to "put her in a home" ( I don't)
My siblings (one lives abroad and the other 35 miles away) do not agree entirely with my diagnosis although the one who lives in the UK admits they have noticed the memory lapses but puts it down to old age.
How do I proceed ? Do I ignore it or do I get in touch with her doctor and tell them what I think behind my mother's back ?
I have been living and caring for my mother for the last 11 years.
Thanks