Sparkie

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Sparkie

Gosh, all 3, well at least you have a full diagnosis now and treatment can be adapted accordingly so at least she's not suffering herself too much xxx

(((((((((((((((((((((((( hug )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) for you and for Margaret xxxxxxxxxxx

Thank you so very much Amethyst:tinysmile_kiss_t4:............No she isn't suffering as such..............I'm not sure how to say this , but she is happy in herself except when she gets confused which sets of the agitation and frustration to the extant sometimes she does attack me and within seconds realises what she has done and comes and puts her arms around and sobs that she is sorry.....................THAT KILLS ME EVERYTIME.
Sparkie

[Amethyst]

Re: Sparkie

Gosh, all 3, well at least you have a full diagnosis now and treatment can be adapted accordingly so at least she's not suffering herself too much xxx

(((((((((((((((((((((((( hug )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) for you and for Margaret xxxxxxxxxxx

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Sparkie

I now know more........Margaret has alzheimers, frontal temporal and vascular dementure..........she has been taken off the donzeprazil tabs and is going to be prescribed what was explained as a calming drug .....not valium related but acts as a kind of balm to the brain....to soothe any agitation ...............the Dr did say I do have a big task on my hands in the very near future............good job M's daughter Lyn gives me a hell of lot of support and a lot of her time.............she is one in 10 million without a doubt.
Thanks everyone for your support with my problems.
Sparkie

[enaid]

Re: Sparkie

Hi Sparkie, hope all goes well today for you and Margaret and you get some answers to questions you may have.
There is a bit of info HERE about the diagnosis and time scales, not that any times scales can be guaranteed any more on the NHS sadly.
One thing I have discovered with Dementia through my dad and my MIL is how much the sufferer can and does change when any sort of medical appointment is on the cards. Seems as though a trigger switches on and all of a sudden most of their symptoms have gone. Not that this is the case in truth, it just seems that way.
My OH has just this minute left to take his mum in respite and assessment unit she should be in for approx 2 weeks.
As i have said before you must ask for, or not refuse any help that you can get both with caring and finance. The more you plod on regardless the more you will be left to do so, until there comes a point where you can cope no more and drastic steps may have to be taken.
Good Luck.
Enaid x

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Sparkie

Presumably knowing the type ( alzheimers, vasular, frontal ) will help know how to manage her condition and treat it, and manage risks. Plus if anything happens ( accident / illness etc) it will show on her notes so she can receive appropriate care.

Thanks Amethyst
I guess you are 100% right.........but I can't understand why its taken so long. I can say that I do get one day a week respite ....she goes to a day respite centre on a Wednesday.
The trouble is she understands where she is going today and is getting VERY agitated at this moment about it so will have to log off...bvack this afternoon I hope
Sparkie

[Amethyst]

Re: Sparkie

Presumably knowing the type ( alzheimers, vasular, frontal ) will help know how to manage her condition and treat it, and manage risks. Plus if anything happens ( accident / illness etc) it will show on her notes so she can receive appropriate care.

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Sparkie

Today is crunch day for Margaret & me..............She has been monitored for the last 18 months and today I have to take her to the Countess of Chester Hospital mental health clinic to see the top Psychiatrist Guy...............Margie has never been officially diagnosed and recorded as being a Dementia sufferer........so they now tell me......which I don't really understand why .......today she will be assessed as to what type of dementia she has, and officially recorded on her medical files.
I hope to know more after 2.00pm today.......................Anyone any thoughts on this ........as to why it has this taken so long to get around to this.
Comments anyone
Sparkie

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Sparkie

Awaiting social worker for a referral for a door alarm for MIL, I said it wouldn't be long before she wandered and early Sunday morning (2.30) her neighbours returning from holiday saw her in the street with her handbag wrapped in a towel, She told the neighbours it was a baby and it was cold. They rang BIL and he took her home then she stayed at other BILs on Sunday (we were away) he called the dr and she has a water infection that can cause real problems and greater confusion than normal. She's due to see dr again on Thursday.
Also being fitted a smoke alarm connected to phone line and she will have a falls pendant for emergencies in the home.
Glad things have settled down for you a little Sparkie and you have a reason for the wandering every little helps.

Thanks Enaid,
I think the wandering is the biggest problem for any carer for people with dementia.........you just don't know when it will happen and have to be on your toes every minute day and night.

Sparkie

[enaid]

Re: Sparkie

Awaiting social worker for a referral for a door alarm for MIL, I said it wouldn't be long before she wandered and early Sunday morning (2.30) her neighbours returning from holiday saw her in the street with her handbag wrapped in a towel, She told the neighbours it was a baby and it was cold. They rang BIL and he took her home then she stayed at other BILs on Sunday (we were away) he called the dr and she has a water infection that can cause real problems and greater confusion than normal. She's due to see dr again on Thursday.
Also being fitted a smoke alarm connected to phone line and she will have a falls pendant for emergencies in the home.
Glad things have settled down for you a little Sparkie and you have a reason for the wandering every little helps.

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Sparkie

Things haven't been too bad the last few days ups and downs, I have discovered that M goes missing when she loses sight of her cat.......she loves it to pieces, if the cat goes out and she can see it .....OK......... but if it hides in the Garden she gets agitated and is off looking for it.............the cat can be in the garden ............but she takes off and disappears.............have put a contact buzzer on the front door that lets me know when its opened ....a bit annoying really but I'll have to get used to that.............I'm just posting for chat reasons really..........anyone else with this "walkies" problem .......may a buzzer could be of assistance.

Sparkie

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Sparkie

Just been made to feel a little better .......daughter has just rung and said they got the " Barbe" out and M's filling her face and enjoying herself.
Brilliant!!
Sparkie

[CYNthesys]

Re: Sparkie

Sparkie, you will get through it, I did and Im here to offer support to others if possible.

As well as the Alzheimers my husband had expressive dysphasia, so was unable to verbally communicate. I had to spoon feed my husband, then all of a sudden he went through a phase when he kept his lips tightly closed and just refused to eat, The only food I could tempt him with was mars bars, so mars bars it was for a while as they were better thn nothing at all.

Re the conditional litigation friend issue, you must follow your own instincts and try not to be swayed by others
D
xx

[enaid]

Re: Sparkie

Thanks for your advice enaid....I agree it seems sufferers search for the past ..........she can remember where she lived in the past but cannot remember where she lives now............one of the things that disturb me is her appetite is declining and she used to love her food no matter what.....now she doesn't like what she used to and says she likes what she didn't like.
Sparkie

Yes the appetite does change I know my dad used to say most savoury food tasted salty even pies from shops he'd been having for years. He gained a very sweet tooth although he always liked his puds and this is very common too. I wouldn't worry too much as long as she is getting little and often but do make sure she drink plenty fluids. Water infections are another down side of Dementia so fluids very importent.

[seduraed]

Re: Sparkie

my grandfather had dementia so I can understand a little of what you have to deal with . Sometimes the sufferers re looking for a safe place or a safe time . My grandfather retreated to 1936 then he was happiest and most successful.

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Sparkie

Some info here Sparkie about why people with Dementia 'wander' and some hints on how to try and prevent it or indeed deal with it http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/sc...documentID=152 am sorry if you have read this stuff or you have been told about it.
As you know my dad had Alzheimers be it a blessing in disguise and might sound cruel but his mobility was shot so he was unable to wander even if he was compelled to.
My MIL is a different matter and is in the initial stage of the horrid illness, the signs are very much there that she will wander as she often refers back to her working days (she even thinks she will retire soon) she's 84 by the way lol. Often it is the past that they are searching for, the past they remember and is very much present to them.
Do accept any help you are offered and demand help if you are not getting it.
Good days and bad will be had by all concerned, so you must laugh as much as you cry it's the only way, believe me I know xxxxxxxxx

Thanks for your advice enaid....I agree it seems sufferers search for the past ..........she can remember where she lived in the past but cannot remember where she lives now............one of the things that disturb me is her appetite is declining and she used to love her food no matter what.....now she doesn't like what she used to and says she likes what she didn't like.
Sparkie