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My father is in his 90s and was recently diagnosed with severe dementia, vascular type. I think back and wonder, when did it begin, why didn't we recognize it for what it was and why didn't we deal with it as such? The VA, where he exclusively went for health care, didn't have it on their list of his diagnosises until it was too obvious. I don't think it came on that suddenly although he became very paranoid in the last six months. I would have hoped we would have taken a more vigourous approach to deal with his issues if we had recognized them as dementia. With vascular dementia you can halt the further deterioration if the cause if treated (out of control diabeties). I suspect I'll be pondering this for the rest of my life, and wondering why the opportunity was lost.
My Dad died of Alzheimer's last year. One thing I will share - they do put on a front that they know what's going on when they don't. Maybe this is true in your case too.
Alzheimers patients do realize they've got problems at first, and may try to cover it up. Paranoia can be a feature of it, and maybe since it was more noticeable with your Dad you were focusing on that and didn't notice little memory slip-ups. Don't be too hard on yourself. I know how hard this is to deal with. Stay strong.
Alzheimers patients do realize they've got problems at first, and may try to cover it up. Paranoia can be a feature of it, and maybe since it was more noticeable with your Dad you were focusing on that and didn't notice little memory slip-ups. Don't be too hard on yourself. I know how hard this is to deal with. Stay strong.
I second this. Personality changes come first and come on so gradually that you may think it's natural or just a bit of senility creeping up on him. We've seen it coming with mom for 15 years now and she's only 75, but she only recently became concerned enough herself to consent to go to the doc, so what could we have done sooner anyway?
My father is in his 90s and was recently diagnosed with severe dementia, vascular type. I think back and wonder, when did it begin, why didn't we recognize it for what it was and why didn't we deal with it as such? The VA, where he exclusively went for health care, didn't have it on their list of his diagnosises until it was too obvious. I don't think it came on that suddenly although he became very paranoid in the last six months. I would have hoped we would have taken a more vigourous approach to deal with his issues if we had recognized them as dementia. With vascular dementia you can halt the further deterioration if the cause if treated (out of control diabeties). I suspect I'll be pondering this for the rest of my life, and wondering why the opportunity was lost.
First can I say I am so sorry that your family and your dad are going through this terrible time. We just do not know everything about dementia.
This link could give you more information. Try to enjoy and take it one day at a time with your dad. God Bless. Vascular dementia: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com
People w/dementia try really hard to not let on that they don't know what's going on. They will be quiet, murmer something like "umm", smile when others are smiling, etc. It can be hard to realize until the dementia is severe.
That is an antipsychotic. Good thing they don't have him on statins, pure poison for most.
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