New to forum, seeking advice

[Guest guest]

Hi there

My 80 year old dad has suspected LBD but we haven't been able to get a proper

diagnosis as he keeps refusing any sort of medical / psychiatric assessment (he

is extremely fearful he will get sent away to a 'mental institution').

Anyway we are struggling to cope, especially my mum who has effectively become

his carer over that last 2 years when symptoms first began. Now things are

getting worse and there are a few things we would like your advice with.. when

my dad asks my mum who she is or where his wife is, what is she to say? The

advice is not to try to correct the dementia sufferer but it is sometimes so

difficult to know what else to do. For example, my dad will wakes in the night

and go around the whole house turning all the lights on looking for my mum who

is stood right next to him but he doesn't believe it is her. I am sure you are

all very familiar with this but how do you deal with it?!

Another common scenario is my dad accusing my mum of all sorts of horrible

things and being very aggressive and abusive (but so far not violent) towards

her. It is often after she has been out of the house which she needs to do for

practical reasons e.g. shopping and for her own sanity - but his accusations are

making her not want to go out. Obviously she can walk out of the room (which

she does) or try distracting him (not usually possible!) but he tends to get

stuck on these paranoid ideas for several hours, if not days and weeks, & keeps

coming back to them which is very upsetting for mum. Any suggestions?

Many thanks!

Sam

p.s. we are trying to get the doctors involved and slowly trying to convince dad

to have an assessment & medication review but without his cooperation this is

very difficult. (if we push it he just thinks we are the enemy)

[Guest guest]

Sam - I am sorry to hear what is happening with your Dad. Have you tried to get

a physician or a PA (physician's assistant) to visit their home? He could then

be evaluated to some degree and given a medication (possibly Seroquel) to help

with the delusions.

[Guest guest]

Hi Norma

Many thanks for your response, sorry it has taken me a while to reply. A doctor

/ psychiatrist did do a couple of home visits to my dad 6-9 months ago but he

recommended a brain scan and further assessments which my dad refused so there

was not much more he could do and that was the end of that.

However because things seem to be worsening my sister has booked an appointment

to talk to dad's GP (family doctor) to see what can be done when a patient

doesn't cooperate but intervention and support is needed. Fingers crossed that

will get the ball rolling with diagnosis / appropriate medication etc.

Thanks again

Sam

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> Sam - I am sorry to hear what is happening with your Dad. Have you tried to

get a physician or a PA (physician's assistant) to visit their home? He could

then be evaluated to some degree and given a medication (possibly Seroquel) to

help with the delusions.

>