how serious is serious? - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

ericka · 03-02-2001, 12:39 PM

My Mom has just been officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but we've suspected she was in the early stages for several years. The doctor was upset that she was both living by herself and still driving. Both my brothers are of the mind that "there have been no incidents so far", so we do not need to be overly concerned. I'm wondering at what point can dementia suddenly appear? Presently, she has problems such as remembering what she ate last night or what she did this morning. However, she never misses church or her weekly hair appointment. Any ideas? Help?

Mace · 03-05-2001, 03:36 PM

Hi,
Both my father and mother in laws had alzheimer's, both traveled separate paths with the disease. My father in law drove until he just turned left infront of oncoming traffic and totaled his car. My mother in law drove until she could no longer find her way to where she wanted to go. She remained accident free.

Both fell several time with noticable progression of their disease after injury. Neither felt their injuries to be as bad as they were.

Hope this helps a little.
Good Luck, God Bless, Mace

ericka · 03-06-2001, 09:25 AM

Thanks to both Mace and Sandy for your replies and good wishes. I don't know how to convince my family that this is serious and needs our attention. I would like to hear more accounts of driving problems and when in the progression of the disease they occured - and what, if any, signs there were.

thanks!

rem422 · 03-14-2001, 10:55 AM

Ah, yes. The driving dilema. My mother was diagnosed with AD 4 years ago and the car and driving were big bones of contention. Her neurologist told her not to drive, but he didn't know anything. Her primary care physicans refused to treat her unless she handed over the keys; she'd just find another doctor. I tried to explain what could happen to her financially if she had an accident and seriously injured or killed people (she's a careful driver and that wouldn't happen). Within 6 months of the diagnosis, my father died and she moved into a retirement home. Since the "home" was closer to me than to her former residence, I suggested that we leave the car at the farm until she learned her away around her new place. During the adjustment period, one of my sisters "borrowed" the car and conveniently never returned it. End of driving. Alzheimer's is a serious disease, which does nothing but get worse as time passes. Some people progress very quickly; others progress slowly. The best thing that you and your brothers could do would be to contact your local Alzheimer's Association for information. They have lots of really informative workshops and can also put you in touch with neurologists and clinics that specialize in dealing with Alzheimers patients and their families. I have been taking my mother to a local med school AD clinic since she was diagnosed. It's been a beneficial experience for both of us. I don't feel quite as helpless. Good luck.

ericka · 03-15-2001, 07:26 AM

Thanks for sharing your experience (and solution) with me. I'm still working on convincing everyone that there are possible serious consequences they are not thinking of!
I am also looking into local support groups and hope to find a lot of good info through them. I certainly have a lot more respect for anyone who has a loved one with this disease.
Thanks again!