I know I put up a post similar before but I wanted to mention the very early signs of this illness which others around simply dont see or suspect anything being wrong, especially if you have never been around anyone with the illness.
Firstly, my Dad is in the later stages of it now, he cant walk anymore, has trouble seeing properly now, very weak, always getting UTI infections and generally unwell. He has to be encouraged now to eat and drink to, just forgets as quick as told. Has a catheter in and has had tummy infections a lot to. Although its hard I just have to block out my emotional side when I visit him. He does not say much now either and its very hard to get many words from him. Even when asking him a question the answer will not relate to the question.
But here are a few very early signs going on my Dad when he first started with it.
My Dad previous was very house proud and clean, he even used to iron his socks and pants, he was very fussy with everything. I think it may come from him being in the army years before. He was always vacuuming as well. Do his own cooking and everything really. Shoppping etc. He was an independent man really.
But then, these things he used to do started gradually stopping.
You see them wearing same jumper or trousers every day, then it may appear to have a hole in the jumper but they don't care or not aware its there, the shirt could be stained but they sit there with it on. When previous they would have not done this. The house becomes a mess. They may sweep stuff across the floor and leave it there, instead of picking it up and putting in the bin. The bin could be over crowded with stuff. You could find bits of food down the sofa. Washing left out dirty.
Then maybe they are buying the same food x 10. Instead of a variety of food, like buying 10 packs of ham and wasting money. Then you notice in the fridge that the ham has not been eaten and gone off. Drinks may have gone off. They lose weight and seem to not be eating properly. The fridge may look empty as well. The cupboards which old food in, like cornflakes out of date and been in there a while but no new stuff to replace it.
Washing powders may not be bought or old ones, then you ask, so what are they using to wash their in then? Or they may look like they have not washed or you can see they have not used the bath for some time.
They start to become slower in movements, like I noticed once it took Dad over 15mins to take a cup of tea. As he was moving very slow, maybe had to concentrate on what he was doing. So making tea or dinner or putting strange things with it, like with Dad he cooked a roast and by time he did the gravy the dinner was cold, he brought the dinner in half hour before making the gravy. Leaving the gas on more then once as well. Once I saw fat floating on the tea as well. Maybe he didn't wash the cup properly or something. Sense of smell starts to go. He was once cooking and it smelt bad and had gone off, but he could not smell it at all, but everyone else could, It stank the house out.
The conversation becomes less, if they was chatty before now they go very quiet, especially in groups of people. And if people all talk at once they put their hands over their ears and say, its all to loud or much or something like that, so cant handle all the information or noise.
They keep forgetting stuff all the time, or may have seen a programme lots of times and then suddenly say, I have not seen that before. or the neighbours cat may keep coming in and she ask him not to feed etc, but he keep forgetting and still feeds it.
Paying bills, arranging things, or booking things, cabs etc, this starts to become limited to and find when they go out, they rely more and more on their mates to do all this, ring up for cab etc. Or the address book is next to the phone yet they ask someone else to find it or phone for them. Or where is the address book when its next to the phone.
They may tell the same story over and over again and forgot they told you already. Their movements become slower and everything they do takes twice as long as before. They may start to lose their money or make new found friends that just take their money. But these type of friends always come with baggage and problems and these types of friends generally look scruffy, untrustworthy and half are probably criminals. They will say they lost their money in the street or down the sofa. Which could true. The first time, but when it keeps happening all the time then you know they are giving it away. They either have forgotten or they know and dont want to say.
You find them sitting for long periods starring at the TV but not really watching it. Or falling a sleep a lot in front of TV. Asking you to change the channels for them as they cant be bothered or cant work out the remote control any more.
Forget they saw you a few hours ago, once when I stayed over at Dads he forgotten I was there. Also they may go in the garden and just stand there starring into space. or trying to chat to passers by even. Become withdrawn.
Its a horrible illness and very slow process with some and fast with others. But if you never been around anyone with it, then its very hard to detect at first.
I hope this helps anyone who is having problems with a relative etc.
If you suspect your relative, friend of having this, go with them to the doctors and tell doctor you want an assessment on them for memory. It may not even be dementia but another illness. But at least after the tests the answers would be there, and to know what the next step of care if.
Hope you all have a happy christmas.
