It seems to me that my husband's short term memory is a little worse. I noticed it about a week ago. Today I had to run an errand and I always tell him before I leave that I have just fed the dogs and took them out to potty. When I got home 2 hours later he had fed them again and took them out when I pulled up. This was not necessary as I had done that just before I left. I am concerned but I don't think it is necessary to call the doc. I am scared because this is just the beginning. Diagnosed July 28th last year. Once they lose a little more memory does it ever change for the good or have more brain cells died or does he need an increase of Aericept or Seroquel? I know you can't advise but what has your experience been with this sort of thing ? Thank you
Exactly 15 months ago (she had had problems already for a few years), my mom was furious with me constantly because I hadn't visited "in five days." The truth was that I had been there EVERY DAY. But she didn't remember. This had been going on for about two years and was making me very weary.
Then something happened--her memory slipped just that little bit more that she no longer remembered anything of the recent past at all--not even my imagined absence. This has been wonderful for me. My mom is happy to see me every time I arrive and she doesn't know when she saw me the last time. Am I coming from the ladies room or Louisiana? She doesn't know or seem to care.
This has given her peace of mind and me freedom.
In my experience Pam is spot on. There will be quite lucid days and there will be days when you think ...say whaaaaaaat? The trouble is it isn't always days it can be minutes later. So while you think everything is fine when you leave the house moments later it might well not be but you cannot tell and you cannot beat yourself up for that sort of thing. All you can do is minimise the issues as you encounter them. In the case of the dogs give them half a meal and then if he does give them a second one it won't be too drastic or don't feed them until you get back
I vent on here a lot when the bad days are present or when Social services are neither helpful, caring or providing a service.... I find it helpful if I can get out the frustration and irritability I find within me. It is absolutely normal to be frustrated, it is absolutely OK to be angry, it is perfectly OK to want to go and scream or be tearful - most of us have been there. Some are brilliant carers (past and present so you will benefit from their vast experience), some not so much - I am a not so much one for I whine and moan but others have it far worse than I, BUT I am here and I do care for my mother. On the good days I try to help others on here who are going through the same thing.
This is a fabulous site and while we might not tell you what you want to hear be assured we mean well - we just don't sugar coat stuff that is really important.
This will help the MD track his progress.
When things got worse she turned violent and had to go into a nursing home. She's passed on. Now my Dad is getting more Dementia of some kind. But heck, he's 97 now.
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