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Elderly parents

Dad has dementia but mum is really struggling to cope - ideas please

14 replies

mersea208 · 10/02/2014 09:28

The title says it all really. Dad has had dementia for several years but denies he has it. At all his assessments he puts on a good act so everything looks reasonably ok. He has been offered clubs etc to go to so mum has a break but shoves them in the draw. I visit once a week and see mum is so tired and stressed from his behaviour. They do not drive so rely on taxis to go shopping/medical appointments. Mum cannot confide in neighbours as she thinks it will get back to dad/she is betraying him. He drinks a lot of red wine with his lunch and staggers about after. Just over a year ago mums sister died she has not really got over that. Mum is not sleeping well and does almost all the housework and cooking. Dad has a dreadful temper and nags and shouts at her so much and keeps asking where things are indoors over & over. She is at the end of her rope and not in the best of health (arthritis). They have no visitors apart from me and see no-one socially. They have no pets but sometimes go for a walk if the weather is nice. TIA

OP posts:
mersea208 · 11/02/2014 07:51

Can anyone help pls?

OP posts:
TheSteveMilliband · 11/02/2014 07:58

So sorry Mersey Sad. There are lots of sources of support, not all will be appropriate if your dad is not interested but some will be. I would contact the local alzheimers society - many areas will have a dementia advice service / admiral nurses who can signpost and support, the alzheimers society will know whats available locally. It sounds like your mum could do with some carer support and some advice on benefits (do they get the attendance allowance?). There is also adult services and community mental health, though they might not get involved if your dad refuses unless there are significant risks.

MrsKent · 11/02/2014 07:59

It is a tough situation. I think your mum needs to work on her feelings of guilt, get rid of them, realise help is needed and find a bit of time for herself. Having said that, you cannot put a good face / fake abilities in dementia tests. If your dad does well in them he has those cognitive abilities. If mood changes and temper are the main issues maybe alcohol is to blame.

TheSteveMilliband · 11/02/2014 08:00

Missed the end of your post, sorry. Worth your mum seeing gp in her own right (do you think she is depressed - very common amongst full time carers) and also to discuss possible referral to community mental health team.

Lagoonablue · 11/02/2014 08:03

Phone your local branch of Age Uk and ask what is available in the area. There is help and with patience your Dad may come to accept support, respite or just social activities.

Good luck.

whataboutbob · 11/02/2014 13:10

To echo Mrs Kent- if he is doing well in tests then maybe it is not dementia, or it's only mild. If they are proper tests administered by a trained individual then they should pick up if someone is "putting on a front". Who did the original diagnosis? Has he had brain scans? Or has it just been assumed this is what it is?
You can have alcohol related dementia, which might present differently- lots of confabulation, maybe hallucinations.
Definitely sounds as if your mother deserves a break. She is caring for him but without him acknowledging his dependence and how much she does. That's not right and she deserves help. As people have said above, maybe they could get attendance allowance so they can pay for some repsite for your mum, maybe carers coming in, paying someone to stay with your Dad etc. I can anticipate him not playing ball. However I have learnt from my Dad that even those with dementia can change their behaviour if they understand it's in their best interests. If he is given to understand it's that or going into a home/ your mum withdrawing certain treats etc, he might just change his attitude.

almondfinger · 11/02/2014 13:26

This is one from left field. Has he had full bloods done? Symptoms of dementia can occasionally be due to low levels of zinc and b12. Both of whose levels diminish as we age due to malabsorption issues. It's worth getting it checked to rule this out.

Your poor mother, it sounds like a really difficult situation.

royguts · 31/03/2014 06:48

My own father suffered for years and my mum found it very difficult to cope, but I found a site, myageingparent.com, which really helped me through it

miggygreene · 31/03/2014 09:07

Hello, I think your mother needs a break. You have to make her feel better, why don't you bring something for her every time you go home. And you said you don't have pet at home, I think you should get one for them. Pets are stress relievers or you need to get some assistance regarding this matter.

doodledotmum · 30/05/2014 20:11

We are in a similar position to OP - with OHs dad. He is declining rapidly and everyone is struggling to cope with his behavior. Any ideas on support for his dad appreciated

Needmoresleep · 31/05/2014 11:00

My mother does extremely well in memory tests. Indeed her latest test, taken at home so an easier environment, showed her memory improving, and not far off normal. Clearly not the case as it then became apparent that she was not sure who I was.

Right at the start we were warned that individuals with high IQs (my mother won a scholarship to read maths at Oxford from a very ordinary northern Grammar) were often able to marshall whatever memory they had left to ace the tests. Her conversation is similarly convincing, though she may not understand the content of the conversation and certainly wont remember anything afterwards.

It must be so difficult for spouses. No real respite, and a sense of loyalty. My mother fades in and out. A couple of months ago she surprised me by showing appreciation for what I have been doing. But the last couple of visits have been difficult. Since she is not sure who I am I am this bossy person who insists on sorting out her laundry etc. More of a problem is that this dislike for 'interfering' people seems to be spreading to carers, whilst her insight into her problems and diminishing capacity is falling. So she is more convinced than ever that she would be fine if we all left her alone.

In response to your question it sounds as if the priority will be to focus on your mum and her need to have some respite and ... some fun.

I would be tempted to phone Social Services, perhaps anonymously, and explain that your mother is being ground down and you are worried about the unrelenting burden and possible carer breakdown. What interventions are possible. A good SS will be able to suggest self funding as well as LA funded options.

Shiann30 · 04/11/2024 11:48

Has anything changed for you @mersea208 ? This is my exact situation. Mum has epilepsy, anxiety, PTSD and arthritis and struggles to cope with Dad's domineering behaviour (early Alzheimer's + controlling personality). He denies her the aids she needs: fall alarm, raised toilet seat, chairs with arms etc while ensuring he has everything he wants. They can only leave the house with a great deal of assistance so there is no escape from his ranting. The local Safeguarding hub did nothing except call her to check she was ok, and of course she said yes. If family, friends or social services try to assist Mum, or argue her case, she suffers from such a backlash she begs them to back off. Having been together for 63 years she knows no different and remains loyal. It's horrible to witness. Dad has multiple health issues but I'm in fear that he'll hound Mum into an early grave and she'll never have lived in peace.

PermanentTemporary · 04/11/2024 13:29

@mersea208 this is awful.

I see a couple of small things you could try. Both require you to be 'the bossy daughter' and it can take a mental and even ethical shift to do this. I'm a big believer in staying up in your elders' grill /water on stone technique.

I would make your mum an appointment at her GPs, take her there and insist on joining her at least at first (see what I mean about the ethical shift? You'd never do that if your beloved Mum was still fully in the parent role but she can't do that any more). I'd say that you are extremely worried about her, she is recently bereaved and not sleeping. Also that she is a full time carer for a cognitively impaired alcoholic. She should at the least come out with something like an antihistamine for sleep, or Mirtazapine, and with any luck some kind of social prescriber/frailty practitioner referral.

Then I'd take 6 bottles of 0% alcohol wine and remove the alcohol from the house. (Again, see the ethical/role shift?) And I'd start talking quite factually about 'your cognitive problems Dad' as a given fact.

tennissquare · 04/11/2024 13:45

@PermanentTemporary @Shiann30
Zombie thread, it's from 2014

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