Signs of Dementia - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

flintrock · 09-25-2005, 10:27 PM

Aunt's husband is 88...he has always been in good health. Up until a few months ago. All the suden he is acting so strange. he thinks he's dying. he says he has an infection in his brain. He says he can't sleep, doesn't eat anything but chicken noodle soup...he has lost weight. He's been to doctor, one that's not too good, I call a quak..he put him on antibiotics and the other day he gave him a script for Xanax and Ambien for sleep. I can not believe a doctor would give a man that old those two drugs. He is giving things away, worried about the house. Says it's falling apart. had a guy come over and put in new heat and air (old units were fine) the guy charged him $8000 and he didn't get a receipt, a warranty...nothing...his wife is ill with cancer...but she's still getting around and doing well. She's not sure what to do. he's driving her crazy...........does dementia come on this fast??? What doc should he see to get this checked out...thanks for any replies....

Martha H · 09-26-2005, 06:35 AM

It does sound like dementia. Try to get him to a neurologist. if he really has Alzheimer's someone else will need control over his finacnes before he gives away his last shirt ..one of the rational family members has to get Power of Attorney ..

I hope it isn't that - such symptoms can also be caused by other infections, etc ..some are curable ..

Come back and tell us how this turns out!

love,

martha

Shays mom · 09-26-2005, 02:23 PM

Everything you describe sounds like some form of dementia. He should be seen by a Neuologist. It could be that the medications he has been given are not what he needs but only a Neurologist will be able to determine that. Please keep a very close eye on his finances. Giving away money or writing checks to people who would take advantage of his lack of judgement is all too common. The statistics suggest that by age 85 50% of the population suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

angel_bear · 09-26-2005, 03:51 PM

Just on a note: Dementia sometimes appears to be instantaneous because all of a sudden, bizarre behaviour slams you in the face and makes you take notice.

I know with MIL, with all the retrospective thinking we've been doing lately, she was exhibiting signs of dementia 8 years ago when my 'baby' was 2. We didn't notice then, and it wasn't until her speech went awry that even THEN we didn't notice dementia, just a speech problem, I guess it's only been 3 years we've REALLY noticed some strange things happening ... and when your around them, you tend to not notice, and subconsiously cover up any goofs. I'm not saying you and your family have done that, but it seems to be a similar story across the board.

Make an appointment with the doctor for you ... talk to him about your fears and events ... see what he says. Your Uncle may have dementia and therefore what he tells you can't be guaranteed as true and I daresay your Aunt is under a lot of stress herself and has probably been covering up odd events for longer than you could imagine.

As the girls have said: Find an Eldercare Attorney. Get your Aunt and Uncle SAFE. This is the most important thing -- and can't be stressed enough .. there are horrible people in the world who will take advantage of them ... which you have already discovered .. and NOW is the time to act. Dont' delay !!

I wish you the best, it's a horrible time, but cover yourself, do your best and the right things will happen.

Cheers
Sally

BarbaraH · 09-26-2005, 10:25 PM

Hi Flintrock -

Be sure to check out the sticky up top of the thread about the Stages of Alzheimers. Certainly wish you well as you seek a way to help.

The advice about an Eldercare attorney is very helpful. Your elder family members need to be protected from the preditors among us. A DPOA is the only legal way for you or someone in the family to do that for your aunt and her husband.

Wishing you well - Barbara