My father is 58 and has been diagnosed with Demensia?

Question

I guess this isnt really a question, just looking for some advise. The doctors are telling me that his demensia will progress fast. I do not live near my father, he lives in Minnesota I live in southern missouri. Just looking for some input as to what I should expect as far as behavorial changes, etc. goes.

Answer 1

Get a copy of the book, "The 36 Hour Day." It's a very good guide for what to expect. Steel yourself. The day will come when he does not know who you are. It's the shittiest worst deal ever. Some patients experience violent episodes, others don't. "Night wandering" is typical, the person no longer recognizes night as a time for sleep and may be up all night. "Sundown Syndrome" is common, where the symptoms are better in the a.m. and worse as the evening progresses. What you will learn is that there are fates worse than death. The only thing you can do is pitch in to help the family by being with dad, keeping an eye on dad and relieving his main caregiver so he/she can get out of the house sometimes, and trying to bring enjoyment to dad's life in whatever form that may take - go to ballgame or NASCAR together while he still can enjoy it, whatever it is he enjoys. Get that book I mentioned at the first and look for support groups in your area. It's going to be rough and just get worse from there.

Answer 2

Dementia usually goes hand and hand with Alzheimer's disease.If that's the case with your father you should go see him because you are going to loose him as you know him now;some good news is they can help him with medication that was not available a few years ago that could delay the onset.I feel sorry for you and your father. I had taken care of an Alzheimer patient for a few years its not easy, its life changing if you don't have to do it I would suggest you don't.
Good Luck.

Answer 3

my grandmother also has dementia of the alzheimer's type. dementia is common in elderly people and does progress. watch out for changes in judgement, affect, memory, cognition and orientation. these are usually the 5 main areas that decline in dementia.

does he have someone with him in his house? it would really help. early signs manifested are forgetfulness about things, etc.

i am not trying to make you scared with this, just telling what my grandmother is experiencing. she has been diagnosed 2 years ago and right now, her short-term memory is failing, she cannot remember if she had breakfast, what date is it, etc... only long term memories stay with her, sometimes she thinks that her parents are still alive. we tell her that's very unlikely because she's 85 now, but she doesnt believe us.

try to be with your father as much as you can... me? there are days when my grandmother recognizes me, only after about a minute, she doesn't know me at all. =(

Answer 4

My Dad had it too, though he was 88 y/o.
Confusion, diminishing capacity to recognize faces, short-term memory loss, (though initially he'll remember the distant past pretty well.)
Other cognitive responses will get worse and worse. He'll be uncomfortable outside of his normal surroundings, get lost easily (driving a car will not be safe for him or for others). Changes of any kind will be upsetting and confusing to him)
Cooking will become dangerous, use of ANY tools might be catastrophic, and in advanced stages, the dementia will require round-the-clock care and supervision.
It's a tough road he's on. He'll need lots of patient TLC.

Answer 5

Dementia (from Latin de- "apart, away" + mens (genitive mentis) "mind") is the progressive decline in cognitive function due to damage or disease in the brain beyond what might be expected from normal aging. Particularly affected areas may be memory, attention, language, and problem solving. Especially in the later stages of the condition, affected persons may be disoriented in time (not knowing what day of the week, day of the month, month, or even what year it is), in place (not knowing where they are), and in person (not knowing who they are). His memory will slowly fade while the dementia progresses. Be there to support him the whole way and let him know you love him.

Answer 6

Does your father lives by himself? My mother has dementia and she is in a nursing home. My sister lives near her and visits her every other weekend. You can find out if there is a place near you that can take care of your father. It is a very sad situation. May God Bless you and your family!

Answer 7

how sad : (