Question about Vascular Dementia
Discussion
Would a person suffering from dementia actually know that they are?
i.e. would it be normal for them to say things like "I'm losing my marbles" or "I'm going stupid" etc.
My guess is that this is a progressive condition, so individuals may realise they are going through changes, would this be correct?
I know of an elderly person suffering from this, and she has said things which just don't make sense.
As an example;
Her phone rang, but she didn't answer it in time. She was apparently able to work out who it was by dialling 1471 - however..
She appeared at my house (apparently) shortly afterwards, clutching her TV remote control and asking me which buttons to press to return the call.
What I find confusing, is that she was able to determine who called her by dialling 1471, but then when she wanted to return the call, she apparently picked up her TV remote to do so.
Would this be considered 'normal' behaviour for someone suffering from dementia?
I ask these questions, because the person concerned has a history of lying about things and trying to draw attention to herself etc.
TIA.
Mobile Chicane said:
I'm not an expert but have cared for elderly relatives who are 'losing it'. They've done similar things.
It could also be that 'attention-seeking' behaviour in itself is a sign of dementia.
Consulting their GP has to be a first step, who can refer for MRI scans, etc.
She has already been diagnosed, and we plan on speaking to the GP again - but I also know there are many knowledgeable people on here hence I thought I would ask.It could also be that 'attention-seeking' behaviour in itself is a sign of dementia.
Consulting their GP has to be a first step, who can refer for MRI scans, etc.
And of course, there are those like yourself who have experience of caring for folk in this position.
My father suffered Vascular Dementia as a result of an aneurism. His levels of confusion led to lots of random things happening from perfectly normal age related memory loss, to aggression (something he was never previously) and total inability to do simple things, like how to switch a radio on, yet could do other more complex things like take the dog for a walk and get a few bits of shopping on his own. It does tend to deteriorate in steps though, he'd have weeks at the same level then suddenly get a lot worse. Not sure theyre aware enough to draw attention to themselves, depends how severe they have it i suppose
You may find some information here http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
TonyRPH said:
Would a person suffering from dementia actually know that they are?
i.e. would it be normal for them to say things like "I'm losing my marbles" or "I'm going stupid" etc.
If someone can work out the phone but loses the handset or finds the frozen food in the oven etc they may know they aren't right but only from the evidence of the stuff they can see that isn't right.i.e. would it be normal for them to say things like "I'm losing my marbles" or "I'm going stupid" etc.
It's definitely not unusual - sadly I've had a few relatives and close family friends develop dementia (including one case of early-onset Alzheimers at 52 - not to be recommended), some people are quite self-aware and refer to it a lot but others can be in complete denial - I'm sure they have the same thoughts of "I'm losing my marbles" and such but they'll keep them to themselves. My grandpa was diagnosed with vascular dementia originally and then developed, or was rediagnosed with, Alzheimer's.
Might be worth getting them to go back to the GP - there are things that can help, either medical or in terms of support to manage meals, medication etc.
Might be worth getting them to go back to the GP - there are things that can help, either medical or in terms of support to manage meals, medication etc.
BlackVanDyke said:
<snip>
Might be worth getting them to go back to the GP - there are things that can help, either medical or in terms of support to manage meals, medication etc.
She has medication, but won't take it.Might be worth getting them to go back to the GP - there are things that can help, either medical or in terms of support to manage meals, medication etc.
We have prepared a diet sheet for her, having found a recommended diet for her condition.
She just lives on sandwiches and McDonalds, and won't even eat meals that my O/H has prepared and frozen for her.
A bit of a lost cause sadly.
She's 83 this year, and still quite healthy, but she just isn't that interested in life anymore.
TonyRPH said:
BlackVanDyke said:
<snip>
Might be worth getting them to go back to the GP - there are things that can help, either medical or in terms of support to manage meals, medication etc.
She has medication, but won't take it.Might be worth getting them to go back to the GP - there are things that can help, either medical or in terms of support to manage meals, medication etc.
We have prepared a diet sheet for her, having found a recommended diet for her condition.
She just lives on sandwiches and McDonalds, and won't even eat meals that my O/H has prepared and frozen for her.
A bit of a lost cause sadly.
She's 83 this year, and still quite healthy, but she just isn't that interested in life anymore.
Either she doesn't like your OH's cooking but is too nice to say, or more likely, she's forgetting that there's stuff in the freezer, or doesn't feel confident using the oven/microwave...
There might be something to be said for getting someone to drop in in the evening - agency carer maybe - just to sort her a warm meal: she might be more amenable to taking medication in that sort of context, too.
BlackVanDyke said:
Sandwiches and McDonalds to me sounds like someone who isn't managing to sort themself out hot food - I could be wrong, of course.
Either she doesn't like your OH's cooking but is too nice to say, or more likely, she's forgetting that there's stuff in the freezer, or doesn't feel confident using the oven/microwave...
There might be something to be said for getting someone to drop in in the evening - agency carer maybe - just to sort her a warm meal: she might be more amenable to taking medication in that sort of context, too.
Yeah it's a difficult situation.Either she doesn't like your OH's cooking but is too nice to say, or more likely, she's forgetting that there's stuff in the freezer, or doesn't feel confident using the oven/microwave...
There might be something to be said for getting someone to drop in in the evening - agency carer maybe - just to sort her a warm meal: she might be more amenable to taking medication in that sort of context, too.
Thing is, she does manage to cook sometimes - and we have monitored her ability to care for herself and she mostly seems to manage fine, even going shopping on her own etc.
We are looking at care options at the moment.
Good luck. Having worked with dementia patients in the past, I quickly came to the conclusion that cancer wasn't such a terrible idea after all. I also work with cancer patients (and my dad has terminal cancer) before you comment. The only thing that makes me feel sadder than working with cancer patients is working with dementia (and stroke) patients. They can live for years with those conditions.
You think it's bad being a relative? Imagine what it's like being the patient - fear, confusion and being trapped in your own body unable to do the things you enjoy, eat the food you enjoy, being the responsible self-sufficient adult you once were etc.
And in answer to that thread "do you think of death much?", my answer is "every day". Oddly, I see myself as an optimist!
Sorry for going off on a tangent.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff