Dementia testing

[Emilyismyfavourite]

I have name changed for this, as I don't know if any family members are on here.
My DM aged 80is being tested tomorrow for Vascular Dementia, after having a mini stroke last year. She is getting very forgetful and struggles to remember some basic things, like how to use a remote control or where she lives. She is now partially sighted as well.
I am really dreading it and I just wondered how he is likely to tell us if she does have it. She has said it will be the end for her if she does. My DDad had Dementia and died from it it six years ago and it was awful towards the end.
My DH is disabled, not in very good health and also waiting for some test results himself.
I just don't know how I will cope with the results if they show she has it.

I have impression that different types of dementia have fairly different prognosis. And people are individuals in other ways, too.

Did your dad have vascular dementia?

No he didn't have that type.

My mum had vascular dementia. It took several visits to get a diagnosis.
The doctor told us straight my mum was quite confused by that stage.
I will always remember it was Christmas eve. I started crying, My mum thanked him stood up lifted his briefcase and said goodbye.
Good luck for tomorrow.

Depending on the service you are going to, they may not tell you straight away, e.g if the first apt is just an assessment, and then you have to wait for a second apt for diagnosis and any treatment. However, it could well be they feed back diagnosis on same day.

I would make sure you say up front about how worried you are if it is a dementia and that your DM would struggle too. They may be able to put your mind at rest or at least offer you more support if it is a dementia.

Sounds like a very stressful time for you. I hope that you get some news you want to hear.

Vascular dementia does tend to progress slightly differently depending on type. If that is the diagnosis they should talk you all through it and also give you advice about support. There are no specific treatments but a healthy lifestyle and medications to reduce risk of stroke are generally used.

08008886678 is the phone number for Dementia UKs admiral nurse service. They offer support to families and people with dementia, some places will have local services that can see you face to face, but even if not, the phone line is really good for answering any questions you might have about dementia and often pointing you in the direction of other people who can help. It's staffed by specialist nurses and is open 9-9 mon-fri and 9-5 on saturdays.

Thank you @ParkheadParadise

She has got a member of the Mental Health team coming round to do a home visit. I think sometimes she says the first thing she thinks of and doesn't really pay attention, but that may be due to the mini stroke.

My dad has mixed dementia, Vascular and Alzeimers. First he was asked questions by the GP then had some blood tests to rule out anything else... Vitamin D deficiency was one thing. Only after the GP had those results did he refer my dad for assessment at the memory clinic. I think it took about two months for that appointment to come through. He was seen by a specialist nurse who interviewed him both on his own and then with me present. He was then booked in for a ct head scan. Finally five months after first visit to GP he was called back to the memory clinic and given his diagnosis. I imagined that we would have regular checks but surprisingly the consultant just gave us a pile of information leaflets, said he would write to GP and that was it. You basically have to navigate your way through Dementia world yourself. One piece of advice. ASAP get an Admiral nurse. Ours was a godsend but it took me a while to get an appointment as they are so busy.

Thanks @calmingvibrations
I did wonder if I could have a quiet word with him first and say how she is worried about it.
Thank you @Mandatorymongoose

That information is very helpful, I had not heard of that before.

@Emilyismyfavourite

We spent the day at the memory clinic in the hospital. They spoke to me separately.
Didn't get the diagnosis until they done a brain scan.

Thanks @Magissa

That sounds like a lot to have at the same time.
I know with my DDad, we were pretty much left to cope on our own.

@ParkheadParadise
So it seems like we may not find out tomorrow after all.
It would be helpful to speak separately to him.
Thanks for your help.

@Emilyismyfavourite
I wouldn't imagine you will be told tomorrow. They need to rule out other causes first.
I think it took about 6weeks in total. (10 years ago)
The mental health team were really good. They sorted out homecare, day centres, and did a benefit check.

@ParkheadParadise
She is having care three times a day at the moment and is booked in for a financial assessment next week.
Her Social worker is hoping she can move to Housing with Care as soon as possible and she can be nearer to my sibling and I.

Emilyismyfavourite

That's good you have all that in place. Less for you to worry about.

Yes it is, I feel like I have more than enough to worry about at the moment.