I think my mum has AD

[apywell]

Hi.

This is my first post.

I have been reading a few posts on here and it would seem that people do get diagnosed with AD. I have been told that my mum has dementia but was wondering if this is just a blanket diagnosis due to her age. She has recently been admitted to hospital from her care home.

Does anybody know of a website that maybe able to help me find an answer?

When I saw her on saturday I was very upset by her condition.....

Thanks in advance
Alan

 

[EllieS]

Dementia vs Alzheimers

Hello Alan

I'm no expert but can say that my Mum had a brain scan following which she was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease.

You say your Mum is in a Care Home - how old is she!

I think you should talk to her GP and if you are not really satisfied with what he says should consider asking for her to see a specialist for assessment.

However, with regard to a suitable web site - check out the Fact Sheets on this website - the Alzheimers Society also has an excellent telephone line and I'm confident that if you gave them a call you would find it extremely helpful.

You can also try the Age Concern website - again excellent and telephone line as well.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Ellie

 

[Skye]

Hi Alan, welcome to TP.

Yes, people do get diagnosed with Alzheimer's. You're also right that dementia is a general term covering all kinds of illnesses, the most common of which is Alzheimer's.

You can find out more from the Alzheimer's Society factsheets,

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200137

Who told you that your mum has dementia? If it was the GP, I'd ask for a referral to a consultant for further tests. As she's in hospital at present, I'd talk to her consultant there.

I can understand your being upset, and I hope there is some improvement the next time you see her.

Best wishes,

 

[apywell]

Thanks for your reply Ellie

My mum is 72 i think. About 5-6 yrs ago mum was having quite a traumatic time at home. She lived on her own in Hull and I lived in Derby.

She started to think that all the neighbours were plotting against her. She would tell me that a 'Mr Big' would be visiting her. She blamed the papergirl for stealing money. She would forget where she would put things and then would be convinced her sister was stealing them. She would stay up all night and be confused if it was night or day as the curtains would be closed with the lights on all the time. She would get confused with all sorts. For example she would put custard in the freezer and treat is as ice cream and store ice cream in the fridge.

She ended up in a nursing home after phoning in the middle of the night for some help. An ambulance took her to hospital and she never returned home again. The assessed her and decided that she couldn't look after herself.

All the above happened about 6 yrs ago. I saw her on Saturday and she looked awful. Her mouth was open and she just stared at me. She hardly speaks anymore, needs help during meals, no memory, I don't think she knows who I am. For the last few yrs (when she was talking) she would be convinced that she knew people and would wave to them. They would come over and she would say that she remembers them, but they never knew her.

Does all this sound like Alzheimers?

 

[apywell]

Hi Alan, welcome to TP.

Yes, people do get diagnosed with Alzheimer's. You're also right that dementia is a general term covering all kinds of illnesses, the most common of which is Alzheimer's.

You can find out more from the Alzheimer's Society factsheets,

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200137

Who told you that your mum has dementia? If it was the GP, I'd ask for a referral to a consultant for further tests. As she's in hospital at present, I'd talk to her consultant there.

I can understand your being upset, and I hope there is some improvement the next time you see her.

Best wishes,

I visited her in hospital yesterday. I travel to Hull every three weeks to her. I mentioned her condition to the nurse who showed me her file. It just said Dementia. She has been in hospital 5 days now. She was sent there by the home because she has recently been dropping to the floor and they thought she may have done some damage. So the hospital have done x-rays that show nothing is broken. Physio are going to try and get her mobile again and then send her back to the home. Only the nurses where there on Saturday.. not getting any treatment for anything other than get her walking....

 

[Skye]

Alan, you've got the same problem as me -- doctors don't work at the weekend any more!

Is it possible for you to get up during the week? If so, I'd rind and ask for an appointment to talk to the consultant.

It could be Alzheimer's, but it coul;d equally well be vascular dementia, or any of the other dementias. None of us can tell you which, and to be honest, probably the doctor doesn't know either, which is why he just calls it dementia.

It sounds as if your mum is quite far along the road, and you should really try to talk to someone.

Best wishes,

PS Although this is the Alzheimer's society website, we have members caring for people with all different forms of dementia, so don't let that put you off posting.

 

[EllieS]

How can they talk about your Mum going home

until they've not only got her stronger but until they can be sure she's safe!

In my opinion, Skye is absolutely spot on, ring the hospital and make arrangements to meet with the Consultant. They need to thoroughly assess your Mum and at the very least set a care plan in place for her before she goes home - with Carers and regular visits by a CPN so that they continue the assessment and make sure as best they can that she's eating and taking any medication correctly.

Is she on medication - some medication can cause some of the effects you mention - it's a nightmare!

My Dad went to a Mental Health Assessment Centre (following being sectioned) and although their aim was to ASSESS, the staffing levels were so low you had to really keep in touch day by day with developments - I tried not to make myself a nuisance but at times I know I was, but in the end the Consultant understood and we got Dad through it together - really, I mean I know I did make a difference.

Very hard though - you have to try not to fight them but need to make it clear you need them to work with you!!

So much easier if you live close to your loved one wouldn't it be!!

Tell me about it - Mum lives close now but dreadful when I couldn't reach out and touch her!

Ellie