My Mum was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's a few months ago. Her short term memory is getting worse, especially lately, but she has yet to show any signs of the middle stage. But what's especially concerning me and the rest of the family at the moment is the way she's treating my Dad (they're both in their late 70s). She is constantly picking arguments with him about trivial and petty things and is antagonistic, irrational, resentful of his own hobbies and interests, and incredibly stubborn. This is making him very stressed and I'm worried he's going to end up having a heart attack or stroke. So I'm looking for any insights and advice that others can give in the following areas:
a) My own thoughts are that this behaviour is not specific to the Alzheimer's as such but is being magnified by it. She's always been a little bit like this to be honest but nothing like on this scale. Does this sound likely?
b) I feel that she needs to be challenged on this behaviour and that this could include telling her of the serious risk to Dad's health if it continues, with the inevitable consequence that she will end up in a home if Dad were to die. Does anyone have any thoughts on taking this approach?
c) If I were to do this could I go even further and tell her that if this behaviour continues she could end up in a home even if Dad doesn't die, but for the benefit of his health. Although this is perhaps not a likely scenario in real life it could possibly give her an incentive to think about her behaviour? I don't like the idea of bringing up the subject of her having to go into a home but really her behaviour towards Dad is that bad.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I'll be grateful for any thoughts anyone might have.
a) My own thoughts are that this behaviour is not specific to the Alzheimer's as such but is being magnified by it. She's always been a little bit like this to be honest but nothing like on this scale. Does this sound likely?
b) I feel that she needs to be challenged on this behaviour and that this could include telling her of the serious risk to Dad's health if it continues, with the inevitable consequence that she will end up in a home if Dad were to die. Does anyone have any thoughts on taking this approach?
c) If I were to do this could I go even further and tell her that if this behaviour continues she could end up in a home even if Dad doesn't die, but for the benefit of his health. Although this is perhaps not a likely scenario in real life it could possibly give her an incentive to think about her behaviour? I don't like the idea of bringing up the subject of her having to go into a home but really her behaviour towards Dad is that bad.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I'll be grateful for any thoughts anyone might have.