Hi, this is my first post. My MIL (80) has had obvious memory problems for some years. We arranged a visit to her Drs surgery a couple of years ago and he referred her to the Memory Clinic. They visited, diagnosed early stages of dementia and prescribed tablets, not sure which ones.
Things have gone down hill and I phoned the Memory Clinic a couple of months ago to ask them to revisit. I was advised that she was no longer under their care and that we needed to ask the Dr to re-refer her. We still don't understand how that can happen!!
FIL (82) is caring for her but things are getting more difficult. There are times when she doesn't recognise him which has to be upsetting. Her SIL lives close and they visit her every day. She is bed-bound but has carers in 3 times a day. They treat FIL as her carer so if she needs prescriptions or anything he is contacted.
We live 3 hours away. Daughter lives further North. Son is closer but working full time.
I suppose my main question is how we can be sure that the original diagnosis was correct? From what I have read there are varying forms of Dementia plus Alzheimers. Should we be asking for a referral?
FIL has not wanted to go back to the Drs as there is no cure which we understand but he is her sole carer and is currently waiting to attend hospital as his hand has begun to shake uncontrollably.
I know you won't be able to answer definitively but I needed to rant!! I lost my Dad in August (brain tumour) and the similarities are all there.
She repeats herself endlessly, she forgets her Mum and Dad have gone, she forgets she has eaten - the list goes on. It hurts to see her like this and we feel useless as far as FIL is concerned. He needs help but the idea of Social services being involved is too much for him.
Things have gone down hill and I phoned the Memory Clinic a couple of months ago to ask them to revisit. I was advised that she was no longer under their care and that we needed to ask the Dr to re-refer her. We still don't understand how that can happen!!
FIL (82) is caring for her but things are getting more difficult. There are times when she doesn't recognise him which has to be upsetting. Her SIL lives close and they visit her every day. She is bed-bound but has carers in 3 times a day. They treat FIL as her carer so if she needs prescriptions or anything he is contacted.
We live 3 hours away. Daughter lives further North. Son is closer but working full time.
I suppose my main question is how we can be sure that the original diagnosis was correct? From what I have read there are varying forms of Dementia plus Alzheimers. Should we be asking for a referral?
FIL has not wanted to go back to the Drs as there is no cure which we understand but he is her sole carer and is currently waiting to attend hospital as his hand has begun to shake uncontrollably.
I know you won't be able to answer definitively but I needed to rant!! I lost my Dad in August (brain tumour) and the similarities are all there.
She repeats herself endlessly, she forgets her Mum and Dad have gone, she forgets she has eaten - the list goes on. It hurts to see her like this and we feel useless as far as FIL is concerned. He needs help but the idea of Social services being involved is too much for him.