My elderly mother has been behaving oddly for a few years now, but it's got much worse over the last one.
Whilst she's not struggling to find the right words, she talks absolute fantasy I'd say 90% of the time. If you didn't know her you'd believe that she absolutely was a teacher/nurse/social worker. That she bought her children their houses. That she met a lady who was looking for work whilst on her daily walk, employed her as a cleaner and now she can't find her jewellery. You get the picture.
Last year her anxiety and inability to sleep was getting too much for her, and she quite suddenly became aware of a problem that she's lived with for years. She couldn't settle, repeatedly saying that her problem was ruining her life and she didn't know why she had it (it was a result of a car accident many years ago) She refused to go to the doctors, so I requested a general health check with her GP and they sent her for tests including at DAT and MRI.
We've yet to get the results, but I'm almost certain it's dementia, and I'm absolutely certain that she has no idea that thats what they're going to tell her. I know she's going to be terrified, and I know she's going to look to me to tell her it's going to be OK.
Can anyone please tell me from experience how they deliver the diagnosis? Will it just be "sorry you've got xyz" and then we're left to it? Will they just drop it on her,, or do it softy so that she's not frightened to death?
I'm sorry for waffling, and thankyou if you've got this far. I don't feel anywhere near adult enough to know what on earth I can say to her, or how to put the positive reassuring spin on it that I know I'll somehow have to do. My logic is that if I've got something in my head already prepared then I can keep her as calm as possible for as long as possible..
Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.
Dementia and Alzheimer's
How will they tell her she's got it?
Haveyoubrushedyourteeth · 25/02/2024 01:34
Haveyoubrushedyourteeth · 25/02/2024 01:48
Thankyou such a lot for replying. I've never posted before, but I'm losing sleep over it so really appreciate you sharing your experience.
I'm hoping she won't really take the enormity of it in. She seems to remember the feelings conversations give her, rather than the content. So if they're gentle and kind that'll make all the difference.
I'm so scared, I can't bear the thought of her being scared too.
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Pieceofpurplesky · 25/02/2024 01:39
Hi sorry to hear your news. My DM has dementia. When we went to the clinic they sat us down and explained but mum didn't really listen. They were lovely and gave leaflets, referrals etc. She has no clue she has it and we just don't mention now. It's really hard OP and I offer a handhold from here (mum diagnosed a year ago)
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.