Hi
My mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and vascular dementia just over a year ago. She used to be very sociable and enjoyed going to church and various local clubs. Since her diagnosis she has become more and more isolated as she has stopped going out to these places. She says she doesn’t feel up to it as she has also been physically unwell but I am pretty sure she is embarrassed and ashamed of her illness and doesn’t want people to know. I know that becoming isolated is really bad for her but can’t make her go to these clubs. I spend two days a week with her which is increasingly not feeling like it’s enough but mum would baulk at more input from me at the moment as she worries about putting on me. At the moment I go shopping with her, help with housework, take them to appointments and generally try to keep her company. She lives with dad who can’t or won’t offer support and who doesn’t really believe that social interaction is a good thing for them both but especially for her. Any thoughts about what l can do to encourage her to get out more again?
My mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and vascular dementia just over a year ago. She used to be very sociable and enjoyed going to church and various local clubs. Since her diagnosis she has become more and more isolated as she has stopped going out to these places. She says she doesn’t feel up to it as she has also been physically unwell but I am pretty sure she is embarrassed and ashamed of her illness and doesn’t want people to know. I know that becoming isolated is really bad for her but can’t make her go to these clubs. I spend two days a week with her which is increasingly not feeling like it’s enough but mum would baulk at more input from me at the moment as she worries about putting on me. At the moment I go shopping with her, help with housework, take them to appointments and generally try to keep her company. She lives with dad who can’t or won’t offer support and who doesn’t really believe that social interaction is a good thing for them both but especially for her. Any thoughts about what l can do to encourage her to get out more again?