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Hello all. My dad has dementia. He's 81. My mom, who passed last year, was hiding it until she became ill. We have records going back 4-5 years noting cognitive decline, dementia and falls. Since my moms passing my dad has made poor decisions with a new girlfriend, lost his drivers license (he failed the cognitive test twice), constantly forgets things and has declined where almost all people notice he has an issue. We stepped forward moving for an emergency conservatorship because he planned to marry and couldn't understand his new girlfriend was balking at a prenup. Since then I've learned more about dementia, but my heart hurts because my dad won't see me, yells at me if I do get him on the phone or texts me hurtful things at random times. I know I'm doing the right thing and my dad would want me to do it if I told him this 10 years ago. It's just hard wanting to have a conversation with him and the proverbial lights just aren't on with him. Once the conservatorship is finalized, we have fears the girlfriend will bail, routines will change and depression will hit. A bit overwhelming.
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I know its very hard to see the one you love decline, get irritated, frustrated, and at times not being very nice but I have to remind myself that this is not the same person anymore. I can only imagine how frustrating it can be for my hubby, but I do the best I can to not show him my frustrations and keep loving him and doing for him whatever I can to make him feel comfortable AND love him. He has declined faster that I thought he would (diagnosis was 5 years ago) and now he has severe apashia and I know it's only a matter of time before he is non verbal ;-( But it warms my heart when he gets those moments of clarity and remembers something, even if it's insignificant, cuz in his mind it IS significant and THAT just makes my day.
Strength, Peace, Love and Hugs to you
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4 ReactionsThank you so much. The hugs and thoughts go out to you as well.
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1 ReactionThank you. We actually had dinner the other night and it was something that lifted our spirits. It's hard as you know he's there, but then he's not.
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4 ReactionsI will be visiting Rochester for the first time next month, my wife was diagnosed with frontotemporal Dementia from a local Neuropsychologist, the testing took most of the day, and seemed to be in-depth. With that report available I requested an appointment at Mayo on a Thursday and received the phone call with questions and to schedule initial appointments on the following Monday. Is 3 day call back unusual?
It seems rather quick as I have heard of weeks waiting for a response to the request.
They have already set 4 appointments 1 being the day before call then three with Dr's and an imaging set.
two appt's on Thursday then one on Monday, is this something unusual? To have a Friday clear or should we expect more fill in with different specialists?
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3 ReactionsIn my experience if you received a quick call back, be very grateful. Someone may have cancelled. You must follow all of their procedures and appointments and be early or exactly on time in the building. We live 2 hrs away and have showed up for 7:45 am and 8 pm appointments in multiple buildings.
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1 ReactionThank you for the advice we will definitely be on time or early.