Hi all.
I'm very new to this site, but I'm very relieved that I've found it. Although I'm having very mixed emotions about things I'm reading.
My MIL lives in an annexe attached to our house and has done for the last 10 years. 2 years ago she was diagnosed with mild dementia. She was coping fine, still cooking, cleaning, washing for herself, just a little forgetful. So she rejected any help at the time.
Last year we noticed more small changes. She would be very unsettled if we went away from home. She stopped reading (she'd always been an avid reader), I've had to take over dealing with her pills as she was stock piling some and running out of others! We haven't been able to leave her over night for a long time now.
She went to my BIL at Christmas and since then she has deteriorated rapidly. She constantly asks when she's going home and sometimes packs - just shoves all sorts of rubbish in a bag ready to be picked up. She started losing a lot of weight and we became very concerned that she wasn't eating. Both my husband and myself work, so she's left alone during the day.
In February I took her to the GP. She was referred again to the memory clinic, but it took almost 2 months for the appointment to come through and now we are in limbo again waiting for a scan and help of any sort. Although they've given a preliminary diagnosis of vascular dementia mixed with Alzheimer's.
Last month she locked herself out of the house twice by walking out the side gate and letting it close behind her. We were very luck that in few weeks ago I found a lovely lady to come in during the day to make sure she has lunch and keep her company. She's been fantastic.
We have good days and bad. On a good day she can remember to eat and even prepare it herself, although she talks a bit of rubbish she's generally cheerful. But in a bad day she talks about wanting to go home, she gets angry when I tell her this is her home and she shouts at me and calls me a liar. She thinks her mother, father or husband are still alive (all have been dead for many years). She talks about having enough food to feed the children and repeatedly asks where everyone is and are they still all in bed. She also goes wandering without the career. At the minute the good days out weigh the bad, but I know from reading the forum that things will get worse.
Sorry to ramble on. I just needed to write things down.
Thanks for reading.
I'm very new to this site, but I'm very relieved that I've found it. Although I'm having very mixed emotions about things I'm reading.
My MIL lives in an annexe attached to our house and has done for the last 10 years. 2 years ago she was diagnosed with mild dementia. She was coping fine, still cooking, cleaning, washing for herself, just a little forgetful. So she rejected any help at the time.
Last year we noticed more small changes. She would be very unsettled if we went away from home. She stopped reading (she'd always been an avid reader), I've had to take over dealing with her pills as she was stock piling some and running out of others! We haven't been able to leave her over night for a long time now.
She went to my BIL at Christmas and since then she has deteriorated rapidly. She constantly asks when she's going home and sometimes packs - just shoves all sorts of rubbish in a bag ready to be picked up. She started losing a lot of weight and we became very concerned that she wasn't eating. Both my husband and myself work, so she's left alone during the day.
In February I took her to the GP. She was referred again to the memory clinic, but it took almost 2 months for the appointment to come through and now we are in limbo again waiting for a scan and help of any sort. Although they've given a preliminary diagnosis of vascular dementia mixed with Alzheimer's.
Last month she locked herself out of the house twice by walking out the side gate and letting it close behind her. We were very luck that in few weeks ago I found a lovely lady to come in during the day to make sure she has lunch and keep her company. She's been fantastic.
We have good days and bad. On a good day she can remember to eat and even prepare it herself, although she talks a bit of rubbish she's generally cheerful. But in a bad day she talks about wanting to go home, she gets angry when I tell her this is her home and she shouts at me and calls me a liar. She thinks her mother, father or husband are still alive (all have been dead for many years). She talks about having enough food to feed the children and repeatedly asks where everyone is and are they still all in bed. She also goes wandering without the career. At the minute the good days out weigh the bad, but I know from reading the forum that things will get worse.
Sorry to ramble on. I just needed to write things down.
Thanks for reading.
