I'm new to this? My mum was diagnosed with mci - but what we see and live with is way beyond that. I am her main caregiver feeling very alone. Also mum had uti in January was in hospital 12 weeks with phychosis and delerium. Consultant says because mum had a history of depresssion. It's harder to diagnose and basically what was I pushing it for. Mum has difficulty dressing washing eating - she asks me the same question over and over again. She was a healthy 9stone up until the last 3 months were she has lost a stone and a half. We were sent down the route of a physical problem - even the doctor there said mums eating problems were coming from her mind. She had small vascular changes in her ct scan - iscchemic changes - spelling prob wrong. She scores 64 out of 100 in ace-r test and 21 in mmse. She is with me at mi ute for a week. She wont sleep alone as she is frightened. Daddy lives with her a home. I noticed mammy starting to dote a bit 2 -3 years ago but that is looking back. Its hard to find her in her eyes anymore but when she is with me she is at her happiest. Gosh im so long winded. My question is really why her GP is giving her shots to drink and she says mum has dementia but ultimately she has to work with consultant. Mum cannot walk to shops... full of fear. This is the lonliest illness.
Are you sure you do?
Have a quick think about how many people in your area alone are living at home with dementia. Then think about how many care/home help providers, community mental health nurses, older age psychiatrists, geriatricians, radiologists, neurologists, district nurses, physios and occupational therapists it would take to provide them all with the care that, according to the NHS Patients' Charter + your local authority's statutory responsibilities, they are entitled to.
If they can keep your mother off the list, they will. But to be fair, they haven't - they've referred her. The Memory Clinic assessment should involve interviews with a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist, and your mother will be seen with you or your father - who's going? Best if you both can, if possible - and separately, on her own.
Do not coach her during tests even if you have been asked to be present. If she says anything that is completely away with the fairies you can tell the interviewer what is actually true when your mother has finished speaking, but don't interrupt her and don't get into discussions with her - she'll need all her energy to concentrate. Take some treats for her and a good book for you, because it can go on a bit.
Why didn't your father have a carer's assessment? Did he not want one, not know about it or was it refused? As I said, I'm none too sure about what rules apply in NI; but he must have entitlements to support - have you tried looking them up online?
What kind of social services support is your father getting? Has he had, or could you get him, a Carer's Assessment?
Your mother's mental health picture must be hugely complicated; but even so I think the time has passed for her GP to be talking about what sounds like 'watchful waiting.' When is your mother next due to see her Older Age Psychiatrist? If that isn't scheduled, be a squeaky wheel about it. You're right, you need a thorough baseline assessment or you haven't got a prayer of getting her the right kind of help. Worrying about 'labelling' is surely beside the point - it's 2017 for Pete's sake, aren't we supposed to be challenging stigma?
Month over month the decline was visible. Slowly losing more function. Loss of appetite and the weight loss that went with it
They only answer seemed to be the TIAs ...
the doctors were finally willing to admit they had no real answers and no treatment.
Why is it a difficult process to " label her"?
Is there something in particular that you're struggling with now ?