Hi all,
Looking for some advice. My mum has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, my dad is her carer. I live over 100 miles away, though thankfully my brother is only 20 mins away, though has a young family (like I do).
We actually think we're 2 years down the line (as such) as we started noticing changes in my mum around that time, it's just taken so long and a lot of perseverance from my dad with the medical team. She has started taking medication, which is due to increase shortly and we have seen some improvements, certainly around normal daily routine.
So:
1) my mum is in denial - she won't tell anyone - she is also very emotional, so obviously does recognise there is a problem.
2) she takes the dog for a walk daily (on her own) though we are concerned about her wandering off - she went for a much longer walk than normal the other day and really worried my dad. Ant advice/suggestions on trackers for peace of mind for my dad if nothing else? Ideally my dad would go with her but he doesn't really like walking (which I find frustarting as it would be so good for him!) and I think he sees it as a break time
3) my dad is getting a break at the moment an hour a day by going swimming and mum is okay at home along atm
4) I've looked an memory clinics/meeting sessions - but how do I get them to go. Neither are receptive and they know lots of people at the local one, so neither want to go as they don't want the news spreading (which I can understand as they live in a small community where news spreads). I was thinking of the getting another of the local clinics to invite. Anyone have any experience of this?
5) mum is also down in dad as he makes all the decisions and makes sure they go out somewhere everyday - which is great. I'm just concerned there circle of friends is very small and getting smaller as they withdraw further. my dad isn't the most socialable person as it is.
I spent the weekend with them sorting poas and being clear what both of them wanted when the time comes. They had an appointment at their solicitors on Monday as they both wanted to redo their wills (20 years old) but my mum went for a walk, forgot and didn't get home in time - which upset my dad. I'd really like to approach the discussion of what happens when it does get too much for dad and mum needs professional care, but think that's a bit to much at the moment (ideally they'd go and look at some care homes and agree where mum would like to go and dad would be comfortable with).
Any advice suggestions welcome, kind of alot of emotions. I'm trying to do the practical stuff first but how I help them both continue with life and make it easier is important to me. My bro is seeing them weekly so least keeping on eye on them both when I don't see them that often.
Thanks
Looking for some advice. My mum has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, my dad is her carer. I live over 100 miles away, though thankfully my brother is only 20 mins away, though has a young family (like I do).
We actually think we're 2 years down the line (as such) as we started noticing changes in my mum around that time, it's just taken so long and a lot of perseverance from my dad with the medical team. She has started taking medication, which is due to increase shortly and we have seen some improvements, certainly around normal daily routine.
So:
1) my mum is in denial - she won't tell anyone - she is also very emotional, so obviously does recognise there is a problem.
2) she takes the dog for a walk daily (on her own) though we are concerned about her wandering off - she went for a much longer walk than normal the other day and really worried my dad. Ant advice/suggestions on trackers for peace of mind for my dad if nothing else? Ideally my dad would go with her but he doesn't really like walking (which I find frustarting as it would be so good for him!) and I think he sees it as a break time
3) my dad is getting a break at the moment an hour a day by going swimming and mum is okay at home along atm
4) I've looked an memory clinics/meeting sessions - but how do I get them to go. Neither are receptive and they know lots of people at the local one, so neither want to go as they don't want the news spreading (which I can understand as they live in a small community where news spreads). I was thinking of the getting another of the local clinics to invite. Anyone have any experience of this?
5) mum is also down in dad as he makes all the decisions and makes sure they go out somewhere everyday - which is great. I'm just concerned there circle of friends is very small and getting smaller as they withdraw further. my dad isn't the most socialable person as it is.
I spent the weekend with them sorting poas and being clear what both of them wanted when the time comes. They had an appointment at their solicitors on Monday as they both wanted to redo their wills (20 years old) but my mum went for a walk, forgot and didn't get home in time - which upset my dad. I'd really like to approach the discussion of what happens when it does get too much for dad and mum needs professional care, but think that's a bit to much at the moment (ideally they'd go and look at some care homes and agree where mum would like to go and dad would be comfortable with).
Any advice suggestions welcome, kind of alot of emotions. I'm trying to do the practical stuff first but how I help them both continue with life and make it easier is important to me. My bro is seeing them weekly so least keeping on eye on them both when I don't see them that often.
Thanks