What about Me?

@celia16

Celia16 - Do they just keep repeating it the same way, or the same thing, different versions?

@kartwk, both ways. My cousin would get anxious when at the doctor or ER. She would tell me, I love you sooo much. She’d say it about every few minutes for hours. I acted as if every time was the first she had said it. My dad did something similar. He’d call me into the living room where he had his recliner and tv to tell me, call the barber shop in the morning. I need a haircut. He would repeat it dozens of times all day.

Then there were stories of things that never happened. They might tell various versions, with some having slight truth. With my dad, he had delusions people were stealing his things. He’d complain about it dozens of times over and over during the day. Each time, he thought it was the first time he had mentioned it.

Other times, my dad could tell a story of something that happened many years ago with amazing accuracy. Even knew his PIN codes and ss# until near the end. The mental capacity was very varied. Eventually, the body became immobilized by the dementia.

Well, another Doc. apt. for him and still nothing even though I let the Doc know in advance H is having problems. When we are there H can hold an intelligent conversation but always looks to me when he isn't catching on.

Doc gave him a few words to remember and told him he would ask him what they were at the end of visit. H. got them right and that was that.

You have seen me talk about H's daughter who lives 5 miles away. The one that tried to get him to change his will.
Well, in this time of heavy -12+" and subzero temps when there are warnings about the snow, etc. and even to check on elderly folk etc., H has yet to hear from her.
He keeps hoping, but she never calls or even e-mails. There is nothing in it financially for her so she won't bother. It is sad because he just keeps hoping.

@kartwk, that’s just a part of the Mini Mental Evaluation. Do you think that doctor is familiar with doing the exams and diagnosing dementia? Also, there are some conditions in which short term memory loss is not a symptom in the early stages, such as with Frontal lobe. In that, memory loss comes later.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frontotemporal-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354737

He did it again today. He was watching a series about America's move westward and was telling me that AFTER the Civil War, north of the Ohio River was all Indian territory! I questioned that was he sure it was after the Civil War and he insisted that the show had a map showing that. This confused me.
I finally figured out that he meant Revolutionary War but when I said that he insisted it was the Civil War. I let it go.

What I am seeing is that he may get the basics of something but can't get things, like the pertinent parts straight. This for example or telling me that Putin was upset with Russia when he really meant to say Trump was upset with Putin.

Can anyone give me more insight on this? He has been having problems but this is really a whole new ball game.

@deniae
I can understand how you feel. I haven't reached that point but what I deal with really gets to me. Especially the CONSTANT moaning and groaning, honking and trying to get up nonexistent phlegm - ALL DAY, EVERY DAY on top of his mental deterioration.
I know I shouldn't let his adult children get to me, but when they are lining up to go for anything he has his name on after he passes (AND he is a long way from that right now), well that is one more thing that adds to my state now.

Like you say, every one tells you to get help. But getting help is difficult and expensive. H also makes it difficult.