Understanding Dementia

[Judy23]

Is Alzheimer Disease and dementia the same thing?  My mom has been diagnosed with dementia and  I understand that she will be taking a drug for this.  Is this as serious as Alzheimer's disease?

[rbcf]

my husband has frontal lobe dementa / Picks Disease  it starts in 40, 50 and 60's My husband started at around 59 or before, He worked away from home and I didn't get to see him alot .  Only married around 9 years and he has had it for 7 yr that I know and it come on once in awhile .   It could have been there with his other wife and which caused a lot of things.  change in personality and reasoning is the hardest for me.  Mad really easy and he was a very nice person.  Now will stand toe to toe and fight over anything.  Check out Dementa on the Web and You can get a good picture of what is going on. They done a test and had him draw out a clock and put the numbers in and to put the hands and give him a time.  He left out 12, hand ended up same length, and instead of 9;15 he put 9;05 He had pass all the other tests with only one wrong at the other places and that day he missed almost all.

rbcf

[ckr]

Dr. Alzheimer had a colleague who was named Dr. Lewey.  Dr. Lewey made an important discovery as well.  He found that some patients had (Lewey) bodies which cause dementia as well.  Apparently there is a number of these diseases out there.

At this point, my Mom has been diagnosed with non-specific dementia and is taking Namenda.

A neuropsychologist can also help test brain function which is important to see which functions are impaired.  Those usually correlate with different types of dementia.  

Open communication is very important.  You need to know what is going on.  If your father has POA perhaps he can give permission for the doctor to call you as well.

The most difficult thing for me is for the doctor to ask me questions about my mother in front of me.  I feel as if I am betraying her.  Your dad is good to give you updates.  Reassure both of them and just continue to be the loving daughter that you are.  Don't let dementia be the big elephant in the room that no one is talking about.

All the best,
ckr

[daprincess21]

About the only suggestion i have, is to get more information and training on the disease. That would help for you to better understand what she is going thro, which in return would make the situation a little more comfortable. It does take time to adjust =)

[Judy23]

Thank you for your info and especially your prayers.  We seem to be having a difficult time talking about this.  I think my Mom is embarassed.  My Dad calls with updates when she is in her therapy.  I would feel better if we could openly talk about this, but I wouldn't hurt her or embrass her for the world.  Suggestions?

Thanks again
Judy

[daprincess21]

Dementia and Alzheimers are not the same thing, but can have similer affects on ones mind. Dementia can often lead to Alzheimers later on, but is not gaurenteed. Ask her docter to give you more information about this. Your Family has my prayers.=)