Memory Clinic

[Clinic101]

My DH has been referred to the memory clinic by the GP. He has COPD (emphysema), epilepsy and he has had two strokes in the past few years.

For a few months I have been noticing that he is getting forgetful, and forgetting conversations. He has always been forgetful but he now tends to repeat the same question over and over. An example of this is he would like to know what is for dinner I tell him and he forgets the answer. He is also getting confused and has mood swings which he never used to have before. He said I was being horrible when I told him I did not want to know the ending of a programme we was watching. A few minutes later I asked him why was he calling me horrible and he forgot about the conversation.

I told the GP of his forgetfulness and the GP thinks it’s to do with his COPD and it’s all connected, but I’m not too sure.

I am worried sick as we have no family or friend support. What happens at the memory clinic?

Hopefully they will be understanding and supportive. Your husband will be offered an appointment where they will gather a history and complete a cognitive assessment. The assessment will test different areas such as recall, perception and language. If his memory difficulties are impacting on his daily function he maybe referred for an occupational therapy assessment. He maybe also be referred for a CT scan of his brain. There is quite a waiting list for it in my area. He will get a follow up appointment to discuss all findings and give any diagnosis if made. They will be able to refer on for other support.

The mood swings and repeated questions sounds like there will be a diagnosis.
My MIL refused to take part as she had an idea of what they would say, so she was diagnosed without scans etc.

Is there any chance that he'd be willing to give you POA for health and finance before you see the memory clinic?

It would make your life simpler should there be a diagnosis.

There does seem to be an increased incidence of Dementia with people with COPD unfortunately.