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What did you notice when it was coming on? What challenges did you face over the long term?
These are all things my family did not do quick enough. In my case, my mom was in her 60's which means my Dad was capable of caregiving and took on way too much. We tried to help and make him realize more help was needed. But there's always an element of denial when it comes to loved ones I think and by the time he accepted things, he had done damage to himself. If things kept going that way, we would have lost them both. If there's any advice I can give it echos what Greco said. Sit down with your family and knowledgeable people and prepare for what is about to happen. Getting the needed help can be a slow process unfortunately.We are all here to support you. However, you need to get testing done and a diagnosis as soon as possible. My stepmother had Alzheimer's and my wife recognized the onset of subtle symptoms about 2 years prior to the diagnosis. (In all fairness, my wife was a practicing psychologist at that time.)
She went into long term care about one year following her diagnosis. My father was about 84 years old at that time and could care for her alone. The crisis that brought about her admission to a long term care facility was a fall at home followed by hospitalization. I went to the hospital that day and had to insist that she be hospitalized as my father could not provide the necessary care. The physician wanted to discharge her back to her home and my father's care. I refused to take her home.
As mentioned, assuring continuous personal safety is paramount.
You and your family will need all the support you can find. Personal care is emotionally and physically exhausting due to the level of demand placed on caregivers that are not trained and/or do not have the equipment needed to provide care.
The Alzheimer's Association is an excellent resource:
What Is Alzheimer's?
Take very good care of yourself and of each other.
Dave
This is very important. Long term care facilities very typically have extremely long waiting lists. In addition, the process for choosing a facility is designed to meet the needs of many and will likely feel limiting and very frustrating when you are already fatigued and desperate.Getting the needed help can be a slow process unfortunately.
Unfortunately, this is a common and complicating related occurrence.We tried to help and make him realize more help was needed. But there's always an element of denial when it comes to loved ones I think and by the time he accepted things, he had done damage to himself.
This is exactly where we're at, among other things. Trying to get to the doctor is the major challenge we're facing.My father was diagnosed at a fairly early stage. We first noticed his driving was not good. It was unsafe. He ran a family business that we all worked in and he became increasingly incapable of making sound business decisions.
I am quoting this for the sake of emphasis.It is very, very hard on the primary caregiver. The primary caregiver needs as much if not more help than the patient. If you are the primary caregiver seek counselling sooner rather than later. If someone else is the primary caregiver give them all the help you can. They need breaks. Even if you can only stay with the patient for a few hours at a time those hours will be precious to the caregiver.
All I can say is persevere. Our health care system is not geared up for this. My mother had to fight both my father and the system to get him tested. Once he was diagnosed it was still a struggle with system, which is overloaded. Things move at a glacial pace but they do move. It was almost two years from when the family started talking amongst ourselves about what was wrong with Dad until he was diagnosed. If the patient is still driving make them stop. This is what finally convinced my father something was wrong and he agreed to be tested.This is exactly where we're at, among other things. Trying to get to the doctor is the major challenge we're facing.
I was hoping that this was not the scenario across the country for the sake of the "patients" and their families.Once he was diagnosed it was still a struggle with system, which is overloaded. Things move at a glacial pace but they do move.
This is so unfortunate and frustrating...and so accurate.Our health care system is not geared up for this.
First, sage advice from yourself and all who have commented.All I can say is persevere. Our health care system is not geared up for this. My mother had to fight both my father and the system to get him tested. Once he was diagnosed it was still a struggle with system, which is overloaded. Things move at a glacial pace but they do move. It was almost two years from when the family started talking amongst ourselves about what was wrong with Dad until he was diagnosed. If the patient is still driving make them stop. This is what finally convinced my father something was wrong and he agreed to be tested.