Gran Possible Dementia?

chnelomi

Gosh i really don't know where to start.

Myself and my family think my gran may have dementia, the past two weeks have been really bad. Gran has lost her purse twice and her keys she has taken to calling me by my cousins name and she has been putting stuff in strange places(glasses have been in cutlery drawer bag of flour in wardrobe etc).

My mum has contacted her doctor to let them know whats been happening but they just laughed and said of course she is forget full she's old, and would ask the nurse to check her out next visit(6 weeks away).

I don't know if i'm over reacting but i have watched a couple of people literally disappear mentally in a couple of weeks(they were severe cases though) one was within our family so i know my mum will be thinking the same.

who can we contact the doctors don't seem all that interested and waiting six weeks for a nurse that will only refer us to the doctor seems a bit backwards. is their a group we could get help from. rest of the family just arent interested in helping so it's just mum and us.even though nothing we do is appresiated but thats another thread.
How can we get her help when the doctor isn't interested.
Thanks for reading and any advice given.

carolt2

Hi there, sorry to hear about your Gran
Here is a link to the alzheimers society
http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/index.php
There is plenty of information on there about the different types of dementia, including way for diagnosis.

My MIL has recently been diagnosed with 2 types of dementia.
Diagnosis is usually done by a CT scan, but unfortunatly this usually has to be requested by your GP.

Is there another doctor at the practice that knows you Gran that could refer her?
Why wait 6 weeks to see nurse, cant you get an earlier appointment?

JemJam

My gran has dementia too, has done for about 4 years now. Luckily being married (now widowed) to a doctor and knowing loadsa doctors it was pretty much instantly confirmed when it was probed into, even she decided she had it at the beginning.

I first noticed before the rest of my family too as i used to go out a lot or work late and very early in the morning in my last job, and soooo many times i'd see the lights on in her house at 4am, she'd be in the garden at mad times, she'd be on her way to town in her slippers without her stick or purse or anything just her clothes at 7/8am, as well as putting things in strange places as the OP said.

Have to agree with Carolt2 alzheimers were a great source of help, as were age concern, in fact they still are!

Mojisola

If this has come on very quickly, do make sure she is tested for a water infection. It can cause confusion in the elderly.

If that is not the cause, then push the GP to take it seriously. Ask if there is a Memory Clinic in your area and insist on a referral. It's quite common for it to take ages to get a diagnosis because too many doctors react like your Gran's one has.

This is the test mostly commonly used to screen for dementia - https://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40000152/

Follow the instructions carefully and see how your Gran scores on it.

chnelomi

Thanks carolt2 off to search local directory, mum's just called and my gran thinks it's Monday and looking for the keys she lost. i may just go to doctors in person tomorrow. i know one doctor quite well and if i can get him on his own i think he will do something.(just need to get past the [STRIKE]gestapo [/STRIKE]reception staff).
May take you up on the offer to PM if i need help.
Thanks all

chnelomi

Mojisola wrote: »

This is the test mostly commonly used to screen for dementia - www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40000152/

Follow the instructions carefully and see how your Gran scores on it.

Thanks for this will give it a go, would love if it was an infection that could be treated though. she was as sharp as a knife not that long ago.

Errata

It would be worth having a conversation with your gran's doctor, either face to face or telephone, during which you should stress that gran has become so forgetful she's at risk and ask for a very urgent appointment so things like a possible urine infection can be ruled out and an urgent memory clinic appointment be made if necessary.

chesky369

Make sure she is drinking sufficient water; dehydration can also cause confusion in the elderly.

Mojisola

Just another thought - as this has come on quickly - she could be having a series of mini-strokes. She does need to be seen by a GP.

chnelomi

OK went to the doctors today but couldn't be seen and the nurses are training, but i have made an appointment for Tuesday(for a doctor) and asked for the nurses appointment to be sooner.

Things are really happening fast now. she has lost her second set of keys this week today and all of her combs and brushes have vanished? and all we can find of her pension is £6 and none of her bills have been paid yet. My poor mum is in tears she's finding it hard to accept she is losing her mum.
i feel terrible and useless must be hell for her.
Thanks for the input everyone we have always made sure she is well hydrated and had considered the stroke side of things too. just need things confirmed by doctors etc and get gran the help she needs.
Thanks

tanith

Don't let the GP fob you off ask him for a referral for an acessment of her condition... good luck with it