Mum with dementia

[wincarwoo]

My mum is 82 and becoming more forgetful and confused.
I am trying to encourage my dad to take her to the doctor, but I can't confidently say what would happen if he did.
Does anybody have any experience of how a doctor might support my mum and dad?

Hi, my work involves people with dementia. After ruling out physical reasons, e.g UTI (water infection) a GP would usually refer your mum to a memory assessment service for tests. These can include scans, psychometric testing and also chats with the family to gain understanding about changes in memory, behaviour.

There are various types of dementia with Alzheimer's disease being the largest in the population. Depending on the results mum could be given medication (depending on the type of dementia and cause), she may be invited to attend Cognitive Stimulation Therapy to help her memory.
She may then be eligible to receive Attendance Allowance and consequently a reduction in council tax. (usually a few months following diagnosis).
The Alzheimer's Society offer great fact sheets and advice around dementia and also offer a helpline.

The emphasis with dementia is on living well, learning how to adapt life and continue doing the things you enjoy. There are many adaptive aids to help with memory issues to enable people to maintain their independence.
I would gently encourage mum and dad to see their GP to start the investigations as the earlier the help is put in place the better for the patient.
Hope that helps.

@eggcustard1 thank you so much. This will really help.

wincaroo you are welcome.

Before going to see the GP, it's worth sending in advance or taking with you, a letter listing (concisely) symptoms and worrying behaviour, because a) people with dementia often insist to a GP or other professional that they can still do this or that, or that they have no trouble with this or that (because of memory issues they may well genuinely believe it).

And b) it can be very difficult, assuming you're going with them, to have to contradict the erroneous impression they're giving.

If it does turn out to be some form of dementia, I do recommend the Alzheimer's Society Talking Point forum. Whatever you're experiencing, others who know exactly what it's like will have been there. Most people who haven't lived with dementia really don't have a clue.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER thank you. That's v useful.

OP I care for my gran who lives independently with Alzheimer's with only family care. She has patches to slow it down she's had the diagnoses 7 year and is still going canny.

Obviously thats only one example but it's a positive one so I thought id share.