its so hard on the mate to see this going on. my dad did not think she really had it until it got really bad, and at times still didnt. but he knows now because shes like a 2 year old, she no longer can pick out her clothes or anything .
yes she needs a full work over . mri of head etc that way ya know where shes at with it. i know its hard on dad been there with mine and still am, my dad thinks if he not run test it will just go away and not get worse but we all know thats not going to happen.
my Blessing are with ya as ya go throught this hard time, just remember to love her no matter what and make what days she has with ya the best. dont say anything neg to her all postive.
Thank you all for your input and sharing. I plan on having a long talk with my Dad. He is nin denial and I guess it is time for me to press him harder. It is just tough, and I know all of you know (probably better than me because my Mom is not as far along as some). I really want her to get in and have a FULL diagnosis by a specialist rather than just our family doctor's diagnosis. I know he really knows her medical history and all but I think a full evaluation is needed. I need to get Dad on board. He is taking this all on himself and not letting me help and trying to do it alone. He thinks if she would just exercise this would all go away......I will keep plugging along and reading everyone's posts and ideas sure does help..Thanks again!
wow , i say dont let her drive, if she is forgetting and has been told by a dr she has it than NO DRIVING TAKE THE KEYS. why put others besides her in danger?
my mom no longer drives and she no longer cooks either, shes sounds a lot like your mother and i would be very scared to. my dad was the same way not wanting to take away her freedom but you at somepoint has to pull the keys to make siure shes safe and does not get behind that wheel and get lost or worse. God Bless you and i hope things work out and you feel safer about it.
I so know how you feel.I went through the same thing with my Grandmother but thankfully,I talked her out of driving.However,looking into it I found out (well,here in Canada anyway)that when you go to renew you drivers there is a question about ones mental status & if it is documented & you were to have an accident there would be a question of having insurance coverage.I know it is a terrible position to be in but I don't think I could have lived with myself if she would have had an accident & hurt someone or herself.-not mention the legal and financial ramifications.-This whole thing stinks I know,we only want them to be happy and have the best quality of life they can,but sometimes it has to be head over heart.Good luck to you!
Thanks for your reply! She is more than just forgetful. The doctor diagnosed her when she made repeated appointments with him over the course of two weeks or more and complained about the same things. She had no recollection of even being there or what he said. If she is out of her environment she becomes very agitated and anxious. When I ask her what she did today she will ask my dad what she did and then repeat what he says. He is a volunteer at our local hospital and he goes in one day a week. She will call me repeatedly and ask where he is. He started leaving her notes so she would know where he was and notes on how to use the phone and what his phone number is. She will tell me stories and say things happened to her that really happened to me or others. She watches a lot of TV and gets very worried and obsessed about things she hears and sees. If she sees the weather calls for flooding somewhere in the country she will insist it is for us. These are just a few examples of behaviors I see, there are many others. With that being said she can sometimes carry on a very normal conversation, other times she repeats herself over and over or asks the same questions over and over.
I just can't get a handle on what her problem is. Like I said the only diagnosis we have is what our family doctor said 3 years ago and she has been on (sp) namenda(?) ever since. I cannot get my dad to take her to anyone else. He truly thinks if she stays active and independant she will get better.
I do not know how to get a good converstaion going with him. I would just like a real good check up and diagnosis for her but maybe I am asking too much. I just want her to be happy and healthy as long as possible,
First of all, do not assume she has Alzheimer's. There are many forms of dementia.
Secondly, simple forgetfullness is not necessarily a reason not to drive.
If, in your judgement, she is a danger to others, then you are morally obligated to notify the motor vehicles department by registered mail. The general drill in most states is for them to suspend the licence until the individual comes in for another road test, at which time a professional will make the evaluation.
Oh so as of now she is driving!