Hello all
I have been lurking for a little bit but as things are progressing with my Mum's dementia, I feel I need to start interacting now as this forum has already been invaluable in my education so far.
My Mum has received a phone call saying she will be getting an appointment at the Memory Clinic and the person mentioned an MRI which has upset her. For background info my Mum lives with my Dad who is her main carer but my sister & I are close by & help where we can. Apart from being continent, Mum needs assistance with day to day living & I believe that my Mum is probably moderate to severe now - she can go in & out of each category depending on the sort of day she is having. Mum is currently not on any meds for dementia although she does take an anti depressant for another condition which I think helps with keeping her in a fairly calm state.
My question is - is the MRI necessary? As she has no short term memory at all, I am worried that a scan will be very distressing for her as she will not be able to understand what is going on & family members won't be with her (she is very clingy to Dad & gets anxious when he is not around, even if it is for a short while). Apart from not getting an exact diagnosis as to what type of dementia she has, is there any benefit to having the scan? Can the Memory Clinic diagnose without her having this?
Thanks in advance for any advice received
Risa
I have been lurking for a little bit but as things are progressing with my Mum's dementia, I feel I need to start interacting now as this forum has already been invaluable in my education so far.
My Mum has received a phone call saying she will be getting an appointment at the Memory Clinic and the person mentioned an MRI which has upset her. For background info my Mum lives with my Dad who is her main carer but my sister & I are close by & help where we can. Apart from being continent, Mum needs assistance with day to day living & I believe that my Mum is probably moderate to severe now - she can go in & out of each category depending on the sort of day she is having. Mum is currently not on any meds for dementia although she does take an anti depressant for another condition which I think helps with keeping her in a fairly calm state.
My question is - is the MRI necessary? As she has no short term memory at all, I am worried that a scan will be very distressing for her as she will not be able to understand what is going on & family members won't be with her (she is very clingy to Dad & gets anxious when he is not around, even if it is for a short while). Apart from not getting an exact diagnosis as to what type of dementia she has, is there any benefit to having the scan? Can the Memory Clinic diagnose without her having this?
Thanks in advance for any advice received
Risa