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djwm1234 Asked September 2017

How is it that other family members can be in denial about Mom's dementia?

while it is true that there is no official diagnosis, she has so many of the symptoms. she has poor short-term memory, repeats things over and over ... it is basically the same story again and again. Her memories of the past are like stories that never happened or part is true linked with something untrue. She accuses people of stealing, is agitated, etc. she has even hallucinaated a couple of times. Docs said she has cognitive impairment, then that she has sundowners ... but never say it is dementia. Feel like I am the only one seeing this and makes me feel guilty too. Of course, I dont want this to be happening, but I cannot help seeing what I see. My sisters say it is "just old age". She is 90.

djwm1234 Sep 2017
Thank you all for responding. I dont have POA so I cannot make decisions. My sister does, but she has disagreed with me re what my mother has. Without a diagnosis (and it seems as if the doctors she has seen do not want to give one ... see article below), nothing can be done. They all think she is senile and that this all goes along with aging .. and no convincing anyone of anything else.
I am worried about her living alone in her own home .. her safety. It's a difficult thing because none of us want to put her in a nursing home and it is really a moot point as ... since she is not incompetent, we cant do it anyway.
The law states that unless she is a danger to herself or another, she is a free agent. I dont think my sisters are trying to get "out of" doing anything and I do think they are in denial. I wish i had this all wrong but I become more doubtful of that as time goes by.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/aging/many-alzheimers-never-get-diagnosis-report-n329121

If I may, another question? My mother was always a lovely person and we were very close. Since this illness (and heart disease/severe), she has changed dramatically. She says many hurtful things and some hit home hard. As a result, I am now seeing less of her and avoiding her (I am not fulltime caretaker). thus, feel more guilty. It has been having a very negative effect on me even though Im not supposed to get upset ... I do. Thanks.

LivingSouth Sep 2017
The psychiatrist that we saw was useless - he claimed that there was nothing wrong. This was around the time that she said she was living in someone else's home. In my case, I think they just didn't want to have to change their lifestyle to provide help. Your siblings may say that the doctor is wrong - anything to stay in their bubble.
Get her medical records first, because we found out the one doctor DID write down the D word. I had no idea, because he wouldn't bring it up in front of her.
The neurologist would be a good start, I think.

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BarbBrooklyn Sep 2017
DJ; what is it you want your family members to understand?

Are they saying that she does not need more care? Or that YOU don't need more help?

If you are more specific, we can give you better techniques. honest!

Sunnygirl1 Sep 2017
Do your siblings have motivations for being in denial? I've seen adult children, who just refuse to see the truth about cognitive decline or dementia, because, it might trigger a commitment from them for time, more work at her house, and even taking her into their homes. Or, they may have to find around the clock care, figure out payment, locate a facility, etc. They had rather deny the truth and stay in the dark.

Other times, it's just ignorance and the fact that they haven't read multiple articles about the condition and conducted many hours of research on the topic. They perhaps have some outdated myths about senility from when they were kids.

I'd offer some resources for them to read and try to share information with them, if they are open to it. And if you need authority and don't have it, I'd consult with an Elder Law attorney. Do you have Durable Power of Attorney and Healthcare POA? Is she still competent to sign them?

Countrymouse Sep 2017
Whether it's just old age or a specific type of dementia, how do your sisters think your mother should be cared for?

If you need a formal diagnosis to use a DPOA or to implement changes in your mother's living arrangements which she might oppose, then I would agree that taking her to a specialist neurologist or geriatrician or geriatric psychiatrist is the way to go. But in any case, whatever they want to call it - heavens! They can pretend it's measles if it makes them happier - your sisters need to acknowledge the problems your mother is having and work with you to keep her safe and well. So what's their plan?

Eyerishlass Sep 2017
See about getting your mom to a Dr. and getting her diagnosed with some kind of dementia. Like jeannegibbs said, accusing others of theft is not part of the aging process. Neither is sundowners. But they are classic symptoms of dementia.

Don't take her to the Dr. who said it's mild cognitive impairment. Get a referral to a neurologist. A neurologist will do the necessary tests and be able to diagnose your mom. At least then you can get the diagnosis out of the way and get on with caring for your mom going forward.

I'm concerned that without a diagnosis your siblings will remain in denial thus causing an uphill battle in caring for your mom.

cdnreader Sep 2017
I know its tough when one sibling sees a problem and all the other siblings are saying its nothing or its not my problem. Do you have POA? If you strongly believe this and want to have your mom evaluated or her medications changed, I would take her to the doctor yourself. Is it because she still lives home alone? Do you think she needs assisted living, memory care or a nursing home? If you think your mom is in danger another options is Adult Protective Services.

I experienced this too with my siblings. I felt like I was talking to a brick wall. In the end, I had to take charge and just go my own way.

jeannegibbs Sep 2017
While it is true we old people may tell the same story more than once -- often forgetting who we told it to -- repeating the same story over and over and over is not a normal part of aging. Hallucinations are very definitely not a normal part of aging. Paranoia about being stolen from is not just a matter of getting old. It is very common in dementia.

Sundowning is a specific set of symptoms within DEMENTIA -- not within mild cognitive impairment. I do not know why some in the medical profession try so very hard to avoid giving that straight-forward diagnosis. The lack of an official diagnosis feeds into your family's denial. "See, the doctor doesn't think she has dementia, why are you fussing about it. She is just getting older."

Please don't feel guilty for seeing what you are seeing. You are not causing this! And of course you wish it wasn't true.

Your profile says Mom is living at home. Does she live alone? People with dementia cannot live safely alone beyond the very early stage. This is another reason that docs shouldn't pussy-foot around the diagnosis. Someone has to start making plans for care.

Perhaps it would help if you just drop the term "dementia" from discussions with your family. Talk about her agitation today, or her accusations of theft. Say she is getting so forgetful you are afraid for her to be using the stove. Let them know what you see, without diagnosing it. When you get an actual official medical diagnosis will be time enough to discuss that.

I think taking Mom to a geriatric psychiatrist if you can find one in your area might be a good idea. Or a neurologist. Either specialty could explore the hallucinations and the other things you notice and help you understand her impairments and what you can do about them.

BarbBrooklyn Sep 2017
You mean they all they that she's sharp as a tack?

You have to understand that accepting that a loved one has dementia is a very hard thing to do. One's mind tries mightily to keep sad, disturbing and disrupting information from consciousness by means of denial. It is a power force.

Mostly I find it useless to try to convince folks of stuff they are in denial about. Is the fact that they are not accepting of the dementia causing any problems with treatment?

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