what should i expect to feel if my father has got dementia?

Answer 1

my mum had this and i felt very sad for her but she was so funny with it .. she was always quite a serious lady before this so it was great to have a few laughs with her before we lost her,it felt alot better than seeing her just lying in a hospital bed not doing or saying anything.
we didn't change the way we were around her because she knew who we were but saw us as 15 years younger,i was 30 at the time but she thought i was still 15, but she still knew that i had 2 children which were 4 & 8 at the time,strange really ...
she did get a little violent verbaly on a few occasions (shouting and swearing at visitors in the hospital) but nothing major... all in all in was a sad but fun time,9 years on i still laugh to myself about the things she used to say & do.

Answer 2

I am a support worker in a care home for people with dementia. I don't know quite how to answer your question. You might feel angry,guilty, etc but if your father needs care he can go into a home (not necessarily permanently but perhaps as respite). He should be well looked after. There are all sorts of ways in which you can be 'trained' to look after someone with dementia. It is hard work and you will need patience ...

Answer 3

My father was diagnosed with this at 60 and he is 62 this year.
I dont know how bad your father's dementia is but I do know it is very upsetting for all the family.
Do not try to hide your emotions as they will come out anyway.
Do what you can to help and support and please don't feel guilty if you feel you're not doing enough.You can't do everything.There is help with the Alzheimers Society (Put this into Google search). You can make contact with them and they will be able to support you through this.

Answer 4

You will feel a great sadness watching your father deteriorate into someone that you do not recognise. Their actions will confuse you and at times anger you, but they do not understand that they are ill. They will lose all sense of reality and start acting in a child like manner. Keep strong and try to think of your dad as he used to be. Good luck.

Answer 5

You have to take care of him no matter how difficult and uncomfortable it is.
Remember that when you were young, he loved you and cared for you. Now it is your turn. Remember
sometimes people with dementia say awful horrible things. Do not take this personal. The person has no control over their actions anymore and basically you have to treat them like a child with kind words and lots of TLC.

Answer 6

Grief, anger, resentment, a sense of loss..anything. There is no set pattern for what you will feel, I'm afraid. You should ask your Doctor to refer you to someone who can help (a Counsellor for example) you deal with the emotions you are feeling at this time. Don't bottle them up, they'll only become worse if you do. Good Luck to you and your family.

Answer 7

What an odd question. He is your father..not ours. My Grandmother had dementia and only I knew how I felt.

Answer 8

You can feel anyway you want/need...everyone has different reactions towards this. However, love them just the same because although they lose memory, they still at times will know exactly who you are. Be affectionate, patient, and understanding because they do feel your emotions, and it effects them deeply. More loving, better quality of life you'll give them while they are still with you.

Answer 9

That's an odd question to ask - you should feel whatever you feel & not worry about what you think you SHOULD feel.
Feelings are never wrong if you are honest with yourself.

Answer 10

bereaved for the father you have already lost