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Geriatric Specialist?
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Posted by ginnier (My Page) on Tue, Jun 19, 07 at 9:31
| My dad is exhibiting more and more dementia issues, but he is still dressing himself and feeding himself. He's not all here mentally; he's so quiet and almost grumpy. Sorta withdrawn. I really think Mom nags at him and altho she's trying to snap him out of it by being insistent or even sharp, she's possibly making feel badly about himself. Her way of helping him in the past is not working these days. They are both discouraged. So I called the Alzheimer's Assoc. and had a gal come out and talk to mom and I at Mom's independent living complex. Altho the gal was very supportive of whatever we are doing now, she really encouraged getting a geriatric specialist involved to assess Dad (and I'm going to get Mom assessed too, cuz she sorta lives in her own world sometimes). Now that we have received the info packet from the gs, I'm thinking here we go again. All the questions about history and capabilities.... Is it worth it? Part of me thinks that this is just going to bring it home to Dad what he can and cannot do... but maybe I'm scared that I'll find out the worst... Or that Mom will go despondent on me when she finds out that nothing is going to change for the Better, and SHE has to be the strong one... Gibberish, I know... |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Geriatric Specialist?
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| Difficult to deal with a problem if you're unable/unwilling to acknowledge what it is. Maybe there's nothing to be done. Maybe there are things available that would help out. I'd vote for finding out and taking a new look from there. |
RE: Geriatric Specialist?
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| Maybe call the geriatric specialist's office and ask for some tips. The drugs for early dementia are a real help, and worth making the effort. Your difficult situation is another manifestation of the great difficulty we have with shifting roles from child to parent. Think of what you would do for a child in a similar situation. Yes, your parents are not children and deserve to be treated with all respect and dignity. It's a tough conundrum, I know. Do what's best for your folks, and continue to be an advocate for them. You are doing a great job! |
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