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I have a father with early onset Alzheimer's whose attitude and rudeness is becoming intolerable. He treats my brother poorly and it even came to the point where child protective services came. We cannot receive much help because he does not qualify for medical insurance and we do not make enough to pay out of pocket. I know there is other resources I can use like low cost hospitals where they can assist me in finding a skilled nursing facility, but my mother does not want to do it. She is still in denial about her husband having dementia and worse yet would rather take care of him till she gets physically and mentally tired of it, even if it means receiving little to no help. How can I her twenty one year old daughter convince her that this is not right?

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Hmm, if your father has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, has he applied for social security disability? Qualifying for this would make him and your family eligible for many benefits. Ask his doctor for some guidance on how to apply.
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Wow, I do not have an answer for you, but I am new to this website as of today and am new to a loved one having dementia. I really related to your post and would love to reach out and give support in anyway I can. I myself am 23, feel free to message me!
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Kit, are you in touch with their doctor? adult protective services? They need more help than any one person can give.
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I do believe my mother has some kind of dementia taking place as well. Her behavior is almost child-like. I want to spend time with my parents, but it's very difficult being around my mom now. She no longer asks me about my life or her grandchildren. She seems to only want to complain about my dad or judge his behavior. I find it getting harder and harder to visit them or spend any time alone with my mom. I just want to scoop my dad into my arms and protect him from my mom.
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Can you find a way to have his dr check for UTI's and medication reactions? Some doctors don't take side effects seriously, but if he has been on statin drugs, one of the side effects can be memory loss. You should see what meds he has been taking and research them yourself.
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Kirtland, perhaps your mom has dementia as well?
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Kittykat, that's a heartbreaking description.

It reminds me of my neighbour telling me about friends of hers. The wife had Alzheimer's, and the husband's sister said she had "brought it on herself." My neighbour and I agreed that this judgement was… a bit harsh. To put it mildly.

The point is, that people are sometimes bafflingly ignorant about dementia. Sometimes they just don't believe in it, sometimes they have wildly wrong notions about it. But if she is going to be your father's caregiver your mother has a lot to learn. And if she won't learn - perhaps because she doesn't believe there is any such thing as dementia, for example - then she cannot continue to be your father's caregiver. If things continue as they are, your mother will end up being guilty of abuse. If she isn't already. Mocking your father, or "gloating" as you put it, is abusive behaviour.

I'm not sure what to suggest. But rather than resent your mother, maybe pick up the phone to your local social services and seek advice? What you can't really do is just leave things - it could end in disaster. I'm sorry to be so doom-laden, I do wish you the best of luck.
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My mother, too, is in complete denial of my dad's condition. She nags him constantly, puts him down, tries to embarrass him, makes unreasonable requests to him and all the while, sits back and gloats that she's in a better position than him. My dad is now at a point where he is urinating and defecating only in his Depends, and my mom is disgusted by the whole matter. There is no use in trying to explain to her that my dad has dementia because she just doesn't seem to get it or just doesn't care to admit that it is, what it is...I'm sad for my dad and starting not resent my mom.
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I experienced this with my parents, in their mid-80s. Mother had early Dementia...dad just didn't understand it. I don't think he was in denial as much as, just didn't understand it, nor did he try to learn about it and grasp it. I think their age and cultural roles of their era contributed greatly. Your scenario can take many paths.
Your mother may or may not come out of denial and realize something needs to be done. It may come to the point to where you and your brother will have to be more demanding and aggressive in getting done what needs to be done. You've received some good advise from others here....take it as it comes and be supportive of your mother and family. Prep yourself for a bumpy ride. You'll probably in the future have to take-on roles and do things that you never imagined. Just know, that's not unusual. You can vent here.

May peace find you, your father, mother and family.
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I compare your experience and mine & my brothers' to watching a train wreck in slow motion. I agree with MikeB26 to find a good social worker, and check this site every day like I do for your questions. Talk with trusted friends, not to bash your parents, but to gain insight and see what contacts they may have. It can be amazing! Some ppl may have answers, but don't want to speak up unless you open the door 1st. Chances are, they have seen your parents in action also & will be willing to help. God bless...
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I was in a similar situation last year because my mother was hesitant to put my father in the nursing home. The time did come when she recognized that he was too much to care for in the home and that it was in his best interest to have care in the nursing home. She still feels guilty today for doing it, but she knows it resulted in a good family DR. looking after him and he had good care. If the time does come for him to go into the nursing home, just make sure you and your family are happy with the staff and that you know ahead of time how they deal with disagreements with the family regarding your loved ones care. It does make a difference to find a staff you and your family can get along with.
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Write or E=mail your father's doctor and tell him the behaviors you observe in specific terms. Time of day, how many times a day or week. Send a copy to your mother's doctor also. Neither doctor can talk with you, but at least they have an idea about what is happening. Maybe there is a medication for your dad. The doctor's can discuss a safety plan with your mom or brother if your dad gets violent. (Leave the house, go to a neighbor's, call 911 for example). Has you Dad hit anyone yet? Tell the doctors.

The next thing is the hardest, do not alienate your mother. Take her to a restaurant for brunch, out to tea, shopping etc. Do not bring up your Dad, just give her time off until she asks for help. She might never ask, but at least will see you as an ally.

Talk with your brother about flying below your Dad's radar. This is a skill he will need in many other situations in life.
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I am so very sorry! My in laws had this but much, much older! Can't their doctor help with this? I would make sure it is dementia as the others have mentioned. There are some sites for legal help that might give some direction. Your Mom will be able to cope so much better if she has a plan. Some things we can control and others we can't. I read someone said, stay out of it because you are so young. It's obvious you love your family and want to help, please be careful. Sending prayers.
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You may have to use what I call " Push /Pull"
You can go ahead and find out what help and benefits are available .
Your mother will sooner or later feel as though she doesn't know what to do. That is a good time to tell her what you know , because she is more likely to listen,,,,That is the pull .
You can leave the push up to your dad . It sounds like he is working on that already .
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You're dealing with a bunch of difficulty, complex problems. You may want to try a private-pay geriatric social worker. They're very expensive, so be sure you get one who commutes to making tangible progress in 2-3 hours. However, a good geriatric SW will be able to lay out your local options and help you figure out how they might impact your specific family situation.
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My suggestion would be to find out exactly where you stand regarding available services and legal issues. You might want to explore the website for Los Angeles County Community and Senior Services. Then make an appointment to see someone there for advice and referrals. Good luck and God bless.
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Miss, you are 21, brother must be under 18 since child protective services became involved. Not knowing his exact age, just making an assumption, that brother is in the midst of testosterone waking up and may be going through some rebellion. A parent being diagnosed with Alzheimer's is difficult at any age, but to still be in his teens, and you just 21, I cannot imagine how impossible the situation must be. I would guess that your brother is simply overwhelmed with dad's diagnosis, does not understand it, and is in denial. Maybe his rebellion triggers some of dad's behaviors?

Is there a friend that would take in your brother? He and Dad should be enjoying ball games, school functions together, talking about girls, etc. If brother is with a friend he could still see dad whenever he desires, the stress level would reduce significantly in the household for everyone. If your mother wants to keep dad at home any reduction in stress would help to make the living situation more livable for everyone. I know this would be a very difficult decision to make.
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Meantime, help your brother deal with a new reality. The two of you are going to get some big practice at not taking stuff personally. What someone says to you, even if on the face of it it's a statement about you....... is not actually about you, it's symptomatic of what's going on with them.
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when they got married the vow they made was to love each other through sickness and in health. the one thing she does not need is listening about him going into a care home, it will make her more determined to carry this out, his illness will eventually take its toll on her,physically and mentally. youre mum remains oblivious to his mood swings, she does not want to part with him at this moment in time, he is her lifelong partner, a husband and a father.youre mum will know when she can no longer care for him, only then will she make her decision, she will need you and youre brother to comfort and support her more than ever,it is not easy to see youre dad behave like this, but more difficult to see that youre mum is in denial, she loves him as he is, not of how he was before he took ill. it will be hard for you seeing youre mum become tired and stressed out, be there for her. only she can make the decision to put him into care, no-one else, don't mention his illness, or a care home again to her, let her be the one to admit she can no longer cope.one day she will , until then be there for her.it is a big decision for youre mum to make but at this present time she is not ready.
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How do you know it's Alzheimer's? Does he drink? Is he on any medications that might affect his mood? Some people get mean and miserable as they age, they feel life has passed them by. (Usually by choice.) I would devote my energy to supporting and loving those who want and need it.
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Regarding insurance: I took that to mean that he doesn't have health insurance. If you are talking about nursing home insurance, that's a whole different thing. He couldn't get that now.

Nursing home insurance is private pay until the assets are at a certain level to qualify for Medicaid. Likely you parents aren't there yet. Also, as was mentioned, he may not be ready for nursing home care.

Carol
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Pam and Everishlass have this pretty well pegged. Your mom's going to have to be the one to make decisions on this. As dreadful and random (older) onset dementia is, early onset is even worse since it affects people still in their prime work years and often with younger children.

One thing about insurance. Now people must be accepted for insurance even with a pre-existing condition. If you dad can no longer work, your parents may qualify for a subsidy. If you mom is too upset to look into this, see if you can help or a friend of your parents. I'm not saying it will be free, but likely there will be some help.

Good luck,
Carol
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Rude does not qualify you for a nursing home. Nor can you tell her how to run her home, at 21 you are still a baby in her eyes. Support her, support your brother. If he has an actual MD diagnosis for Alzheimer's, he will qualify for Medicare at any age. Go to ssa.gov and look at the application.
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If your mom doesn't want to put your dad in a nursing home there's not a lot that can be done except to keep chipping away at your mom and hope that she changes her mind. If you do this you'll risk alienating her altogether. If she's in denial you won't be able to get through to her. If we had the power to snap people out of denial we'd do it and "denial" wouldn't even be an issue anymore but it doesn't work that way.

You're looking at it from the perspective of an adult child. But this is your mom's husband, her partner, and the father of her children. From what you wrote she is very devoted to him.

As time goes on your dad will get worse and your mom may be more amenable to listening to your point of view but until that time comes just try to be supportive of her and help out when you can. That's about all you can do right now.
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