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Posted by: Margaret Kreiner
December 12, 2011
Topic: Alzheimer
Patience is a key factor in keeping your sanity. Another detrimental key factor is fear. second guessing yourself brings on a lot of fear and anxiety. Am I doing everything right? Am I imagining these problems of forgetfullness on his part? Is it me that is not normal?
I recommned a geriatric assessment so that one, you can establish your own credibility; two, you can set a base line to the dementia so you can follow the progression of the disease; and three, you can get an expert's opinion of what you are doing is right. In taking my spouse to Dr. Mary Jo Cleveland at Summa Geriatric Department, she confirmed the fact that he had Alzheimer's dementia, but also other kinds as well. In fact I learned that there are 51 kinds of demenitia. She explained it doesn''t matter what kind of dementia he has, because he has it and there is nothing one can do about it. She did have a face to face confrontation with him about giving up driving. He agreed reluctantly, and to my surprise he has not driven since that visit.
Having dementia is a serious problem, but sometimes you just have to laugh. He told me as we were leaving Dr. Cleveland's office that it was my fault he lost his driving privileges. He said that I should have told him about the testing so he could have studied up before the visit to her. Of course the testing, as some of you know, is drawing a clock and putting in the hands for what time she gives you. My spouse can read scinece journals and undersatnd them, but he cannot comprehend numbers at all. He can't add, or tell time. He doesn't understand any concept of numbers, such as I'll be back in 45 minutes.
Trying to obtain peace of mind for the healthy spouse is a goal in dealing with this dreadful disease that your love one suffers from. So patience and relief of anxiety are two very serious issues for the healthy spouse to set as a goal. This can only be accomplished by seeking a geriatric doctor to oversee your life and an attorney to protect your assets. I will talk about that in my next blog addition.
