i can't really get my head around the last 2 months...
We lost my Mum in March 2014 and Dads been quite a lost soul since then I suppose. He's always been a family man and isn't very sociable with anyone else, quite shy - Mum was definitely the boss . For the last year I've noticed that Dads memory was starting to go a bit but he was carrying on as normal - driving locally, shopping for food, a little bit of cooking, dog walking. My brother lives away and didn't see a problem but I guess if you don't see someone day to day, the conversation is much more top line. You don't see the repetitiveness etc. In August this year, I booked to see the GP as I thought he was possibly depressed and/or mild Dimensia, or just lack of interest in life which was affecting his engagement in conversations which was leading to him missing things and forgetting things. The GP referred him for a head scan and to the memory clinic, appointment in October.
Meanwhile, I was a bit concerned when he had a dog groomers appointment and had no idea where it was, although he's been going to the same place every 2 months for 7 years. Then I realised that every day when I'd ask him what he'd done, he wouldn't know. One day he went to a dentist appointment (by car) and rang me in a panic thinking he'd missed it - he'd actually been there but had no recollection of it.
So, at the October appointment, he was diagnosed with mild Alzheimer's, which was no surprise. I've since stopped him driving and have taken over his food shopping and plans, arranged cleaner etc but suddenly his short term memory is absolutely non existent. Is this a result of having "the diagnosis "?
Tonight, he's asked me over 100 times what day it is, when is Christmas Day, when my brothers coming...
My dilemma is, should he be living on his own? He only lives 2 mins away but I work 4 days and travel a lot. I talked to him last week about whether he wants to stay living at home - of course he does! But he rings me every hour throughout the day, is extremely anxious and is very aware that his mind is going. It's awful. He hates strangers ie cleaners coming in and is very lonely but would never consider moving ( unless possibly in with me ) but all my friends think that would be the worst idea possible. I've realised this week that unless he's prompted to do most things, they don't get done ie shower, clean undies, sort rubbish, clean clothes, what to eat,
Is there anyone else out there who has had a similar dilemma? Should be live on his own? I hate that it's only me making the decisions, what pressure.
We lost my Mum in March 2014 and Dads been quite a lost soul since then I suppose. He's always been a family man and isn't very sociable with anyone else, quite shy - Mum was definitely the boss . For the last year I've noticed that Dads memory was starting to go a bit but he was carrying on as normal - driving locally, shopping for food, a little bit of cooking, dog walking. My brother lives away and didn't see a problem but I guess if you don't see someone day to day, the conversation is much more top line. You don't see the repetitiveness etc. In August this year, I booked to see the GP as I thought he was possibly depressed and/or mild Dimensia, or just lack of interest in life which was affecting his engagement in conversations which was leading to him missing things and forgetting things. The GP referred him for a head scan and to the memory clinic, appointment in October.
Meanwhile, I was a bit concerned when he had a dog groomers appointment and had no idea where it was, although he's been going to the same place every 2 months for 7 years. Then I realised that every day when I'd ask him what he'd done, he wouldn't know. One day he went to a dentist appointment (by car) and rang me in a panic thinking he'd missed it - he'd actually been there but had no recollection of it.
So, at the October appointment, he was diagnosed with mild Alzheimer's, which was no surprise. I've since stopped him driving and have taken over his food shopping and plans, arranged cleaner etc but suddenly his short term memory is absolutely non existent. Is this a result of having "the diagnosis "?
Tonight, he's asked me over 100 times what day it is, when is Christmas Day, when my brothers coming...
My dilemma is, should he be living on his own? He only lives 2 mins away but I work 4 days and travel a lot. I talked to him last week about whether he wants to stay living at home - of course he does! But he rings me every hour throughout the day, is extremely anxious and is very aware that his mind is going. It's awful. He hates strangers ie cleaners coming in and is very lonely but would never consider moving ( unless possibly in with me ) but all my friends think that would be the worst idea possible. I've realised this week that unless he's prompted to do most things, they don't get done ie shower, clean undies, sort rubbish, clean clothes, what to eat,
Is there anyone else out there who has had a similar dilemma? Should be live on his own? I hate that it's only me making the decisions, what pressure.