So, yesterday was the day I finally got my mum to the memory clinic. She had been refusing to go for nearly a year but then, suddenly, when I said I would be negligent if we didn't go....she agreed
Poor soul really didn't want to go, and I didn't want to put my 92 year old mum through the stress....but I felt it had to be done. She tried sooo hard at the MMSE, and being basically a very intelligent lady, managed to get a score of 20/30. So, not bad really. It was striking to me that she could do the 'quick fire' things like 'take 7 from 93', quite easily. But.....she couldn't draw the clock at ten minutes to eleven, she had no idea what day, date, month or even year we are in And on recall, she couldn't remember having been asked to remember some words, let alone what they were!
Yet, despite this, she kept her chin up, told the doctor she manages everything for herself....quote....."Well, I have a very good family", so "No, I don't need any help"
The nurse and doctor were both charming, and got her to agree to have a scan and, wait for it.....to go on the waiting list for an Age UK visitor (which would be for an hour a fortnight, but it's a start, at least it's not me!)
Overall, mum actually enjoyed the visit. She thought the doctor was very attractive ( he was ) and said she'd see him any day of the week!!
I left mum very happy, giggling over my suggestion that she 'dream about the dishy doctor'
I have dreaded this for so long, I can't believe it went so well and that mum felt validated rather than threatened. Great!
Lindy xx
Poor soul really didn't want to go, and I didn't want to put my 92 year old mum through the stress....but I felt it had to be done. She tried sooo hard at the MMSE, and being basically a very intelligent lady, managed to get a score of 20/30. So, not bad really. It was striking to me that she could do the 'quick fire' things like 'take 7 from 93', quite easily. But.....she couldn't draw the clock at ten minutes to eleven, she had no idea what day, date, month or even year we are in And on recall, she couldn't remember having been asked to remember some words, let alone what they were!
Yet, despite this, she kept her chin up, told the doctor she manages everything for herself....quote....."Well, I have a very good family", so "No, I don't need any help"
The nurse and doctor were both charming, and got her to agree to have a scan and, wait for it.....to go on the waiting list for an Age UK visitor (which would be for an hour a fortnight, but it's a start, at least it's not me!)
Overall, mum actually enjoyed the visit. She thought the doctor was very attractive ( he was ) and said she'd see him any day of the week!!
I left mum very happy, giggling over my suggestion that she 'dream about the dishy doctor'
I have dreaded this for so long, I can't believe it went so well and that mum felt validated rather than threatened. Great!
Lindy xx