Hi all,
My mum is 64 years old and has had signs of dementia for about the last 4-5 years. I currently live with her and my dad who is 70.
She used to work in the care proffession as an OT and was probably aware of it but has been in severe denial. If it was mentioned we would be shot down with a verbal volley.
Earlier this year, it became more severe. The same questions became me frequent and my dad and I became more frustrated.
Although my mum would not admit to a doctor that there was a problem, I decided to inform the doctor without her knowing. The doctor was fantastic and was able to initiate the tests that my mum has recently gone through.
In retrospect I wish I had done this earlier on and would highly recommend this course of action for anyone who is struggling to get the person involved to admit to the problem.
My mum had the tests. Short term memory loss was evident. Dates in particular.
It was reassuring for my dad and myself as mum had drilled down our opinion in the way she denied there was a problem.
The doctor prescribed her 1 Aricept a day.
After 10 days or so it felt like she had made an improvement, remembering dates and general short term points.
It has now been close to a month and my hopes have been dashed. She is more forgetful. She talks of things from 30-40 years ago as they are relevant events that have just happened. That is her here and now.
My dad is away at present so I have lost a great support for 2 weeks. This has added further pressure on to me and I am starting to feel down and have come on here just to get it off my chest and feel reassured, appreciating that i will need some help and advice.
Today she has asked me at least 50 times where my dad is (he is currently looking after his mum, who is usually looked after by my uncle, who is on holiday).
Appointments at the doctors are also an issue. I have written on a piece of paper marking todays date and when the next appointment is.
I am self employed and have taken a few days off of late to look after her. Part of this is through concern, but also I am begining to apprecite what time I have left with my mum. Also my motivation is falling.
Financially this isnt a problem as I have some savings behind me and as mentioned, I live at home, but I am letting down customers which makes me feel guilty. I am in the process of letting them know so that they will understand if I don't turn up as regularly. I have c.80-90 customers a day so phoning all each day would be a problem, but i will post them a brief slip to help explain my absence when I next go.
I am looking to employ someone to take care of the day to day aspect of the business. This also concerns me as once I do this, I will be with my mum full time and I am giving up a chance to get some space from my mum.
In terms of myself, I am 32 in 2 weeks time. I am single and live with my parents. As mentioned before I m self employed.
I use forums and the internet for all sorts of things and knew there would be a good community to join and have a feeling this is it
My mum is 64 years old and has had signs of dementia for about the last 4-5 years. I currently live with her and my dad who is 70.
She used to work in the care proffession as an OT and was probably aware of it but has been in severe denial. If it was mentioned we would be shot down with a verbal volley.
Earlier this year, it became more severe. The same questions became me frequent and my dad and I became more frustrated.
Although my mum would not admit to a doctor that there was a problem, I decided to inform the doctor without her knowing. The doctor was fantastic and was able to initiate the tests that my mum has recently gone through.
In retrospect I wish I had done this earlier on and would highly recommend this course of action for anyone who is struggling to get the person involved to admit to the problem.
My mum had the tests. Short term memory loss was evident. Dates in particular.
It was reassuring for my dad and myself as mum had drilled down our opinion in the way she denied there was a problem.
The doctor prescribed her 1 Aricept a day.
After 10 days or so it felt like she had made an improvement, remembering dates and general short term points.
It has now been close to a month and my hopes have been dashed. She is more forgetful. She talks of things from 30-40 years ago as they are relevant events that have just happened. That is her here and now.
My dad is away at present so I have lost a great support for 2 weeks. This has added further pressure on to me and I am starting to feel down and have come on here just to get it off my chest and feel reassured, appreciating that i will need some help and advice.
Today she has asked me at least 50 times where my dad is (he is currently looking after his mum, who is usually looked after by my uncle, who is on holiday).
Appointments at the doctors are also an issue. I have written on a piece of paper marking todays date and when the next appointment is.
I am self employed and have taken a few days off of late to look after her. Part of this is through concern, but also I am begining to apprecite what time I have left with my mum. Also my motivation is falling.
Financially this isnt a problem as I have some savings behind me and as mentioned, I live at home, but I am letting down customers which makes me feel guilty. I am in the process of letting them know so that they will understand if I don't turn up as regularly. I have c.80-90 customers a day so phoning all each day would be a problem, but i will post them a brief slip to help explain my absence when I next go.
I am looking to employ someone to take care of the day to day aspect of the business. This also concerns me as once I do this, I will be with my mum full time and I am giving up a chance to get some space from my mum.
In terms of myself, I am 32 in 2 weeks time. I am single and live with my parents. As mentioned before I m self employed.
I use forums and the internet for all sorts of things and knew there would be a good community to join and have a feeling this is it