Hi
Have been browsing Talking Point for a few weeks now and my heart goes out to all of you who are caring for loved ones.
My story, and I hope I don't bore you, is that following 2-3 years of gradual deterioration (very poor short term memory, failing to eat properly, inability to look after herself properly) my mother-in-law willingly moved in with us 4 months ago. Life has changed dramatically for me, my husband and my two sons aged 10 and 12.
Just before this, she was assessed at a memory clinic and scored 25/30 on "the dementia test" and was deemed a suitable candidate for Aricept to ease the symptoms but we appreciate it isn't a cure. As she was relocating from London to Dorset, the consultant couldn't monitor her and wouldn't prescribe the drugs .We have just had a reassessment in Dorset. This time, she scored only 17/30 and we have been told she's top of a waiting list for the treatment but it could be three months before she receives it! Surely in this time she could deteriorate to a stage where Aricept would no longer benefit? Silly question really but has anyone else experienced a delay in treatment due to financial constraints? Were you able to speed up provision of treatment?
Also I have already started to experience difficulties dealing with organisations on her behalf (pension, building societies etc) , despite sending letters in which she authorises them to deal with us. It has been suggested that we may need to consider an LPA. However she is at a stage where her answer to most things is "I don't understand this" and therefore would a solicitor be happy that she knows her own mind? Has anyone got any experience of this who could give me a few pointers? Thanks.
I hope my debut on the forum hasn't been too lengthy and boring! Having read many messages over the weeks, my queries sound rather minor and insignificant.
My thoughts go out to everyone who reads this and I look forward to getting to know you all over the coming weeks.
Regards
Otter XX
Have been browsing Talking Point for a few weeks now and my heart goes out to all of you who are caring for loved ones.
My story, and I hope I don't bore you, is that following 2-3 years of gradual deterioration (very poor short term memory, failing to eat properly, inability to look after herself properly) my mother-in-law willingly moved in with us 4 months ago. Life has changed dramatically for me, my husband and my two sons aged 10 and 12.
Just before this, she was assessed at a memory clinic and scored 25/30 on "the dementia test" and was deemed a suitable candidate for Aricept to ease the symptoms but we appreciate it isn't a cure. As she was relocating from London to Dorset, the consultant couldn't monitor her and wouldn't prescribe the drugs .We have just had a reassessment in Dorset. This time, she scored only 17/30 and we have been told she's top of a waiting list for the treatment but it could be three months before she receives it! Surely in this time she could deteriorate to a stage where Aricept would no longer benefit? Silly question really but has anyone else experienced a delay in treatment due to financial constraints? Were you able to speed up provision of treatment?
Also I have already started to experience difficulties dealing with organisations on her behalf (pension, building societies etc) , despite sending letters in which she authorises them to deal with us. It has been suggested that we may need to consider an LPA. However she is at a stage where her answer to most things is "I don't understand this" and therefore would a solicitor be happy that she knows her own mind? Has anyone got any experience of this who could give me a few pointers? Thanks.
I hope my debut on the forum hasn't been too lengthy and boring! Having read many messages over the weeks, my queries sound rather minor and insignificant.
My thoughts go out to everyone who reads this and I look forward to getting to know you all over the coming weeks.
Regards
Otter XX