Dementia diagnosis.

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Dementia diagnosis.

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i would like to make sure that as long as no officially diagnosed dementia/alzhimer ( family member), the person is just legally just senior person ? That’s her family describing her.She can decide whatever she wants? Even let her go back to work because she believes she can work? I have my own mother who is diagnosed dementia recently but all her Dr’s note mentioned dementia without any test since 2-3 years ago. It was very obviously.its very dangerous that dementia person allow to whatever she want to.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Dementia Behaviors Elder Law Living Independently

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I'm posting what you wrote in a response because there's more info in it: "let me explain more. My question is about MIL. She is 90years old and refusing to have any test. To me she is obviously dementia. For example ,She is fecal incontinence . She refuse to take shower or clean up, feces is all over. She can�t remember 3 words after 3min. She doesn�t make food anymore but she says she make dinner often. She was working as part time job ( more than 30years) she says she went to work last week but she is off past 4month because she was rehab facility for 3month from fracture.whats bother me is her one of children try to let her back to work because she want to keep the job. I told him it�s not safe for her . However the in law told me that she is not officially diagnosed with dementia. So even thought we all know what�s is,legally she is regular old person. If he is right, is she ok to drive too? ( she doesn�t drive anymore) I really don�t understand how come the in-law trying to let her work? she is very frail." Does your MIL live alone? Diagnosis or not, your MIL is too impaired to function publicly or privately without significant help now. Your in-law is clueless. How does the in-law expect her to work when she's fecal incontinent and can't remember past 3 minutes? What will you do with the opinions of responders from this forum telling you she is unfit to manage her daily life safely anymore? If she lives by herself, please report her to APS so they can work to get her appropriate care.

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When someone tells me they are dealing with a 90 year old with fecal incontinence and obvious dementia who is being taken to a job, I feel my first question must be "What job is this person hold down at this point".

I am afraid of have tripped once again into the land of disbelief when the question goes on to say "Is it safe for her to drive".

Sorry, I can't really give much response here.
As our OP is apparently NOT the POA, there is really no power here to do much in ANY case. Guess I would simply sit back and make some popcorn.

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I think legally, a person is assumed to be capable of handling their own affairs unless/ until deemed otherwise.

Further down you state your MIL is 90 and has fecal incontinence and never showers, and can’t remember three words after a couple of minutes. It’s hard to imagine how any employer would hire her or continue to employ her, whether she has been diagnosed with dementia or not.

Depending on where she lives, you may be able to report her as an unsafe driver to have her license taken away.

I would talk to her doctor if you can. it doesn’t sound like there is much question as to her capacity.

good luck.

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Your other post, for more context: https://www.agingcare.com/discussions/sleeping-all-day-is-this-sign-of-my-mother-is-into-next-chapter-493885.htm Dalia, it's best to keep all your questions to a single post so that responders can get all the relevant info in one post.

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Thank you very much for your advice.
the question is my mother.
this question is MIL. Better still in one question?

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Dalia,
I am not certain what situations you are talking about, because whether a senior is diagnosed or undiagnosed, it is uncommon to either to walk around with papers attached saying they ARE or ARE NOT suffering from dementia.

Can you tell us more about a specific situation in your life occurring now in which this is of concern to you.

I live in a busy city. I can tell you right now that when I am out going about my business I often encounter any number of people, both working people and people simply going about their business who I often wonder in my own head "What in the WORLD is going on with you?" as in "what's the matter with you". And they may wonder the same about me.

The world of dementia, the world of mental illness, any of these things that alter our abilities to function in some way, are often limiting in some areas and not in others. It would be difficult for any world of "normals" in many cases to be able to recognize someone diagnosed with illnesses, whether they have a diagnosis or not. Many people with mental disorders are perfectly capable of living normal lives, and many people in early stages of dementia can live normally in some areas of life, but not in others. For instance they may still be able to go to doctor appointment on public transit, but may not be able to handle bills and checkbooks.

Would help to know what situation exactly is worrying you and brings you to the forum.

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Thank you very much for your post. I did explain little my most concern above reply to the post.my question is
is it ok to trying to let dementia senior to go work?
I am taking care of my mother
who is dementia with lot of health problems. I do everything 24/7 care. So I am familiar with dementia stage 4-6 ,according her Dr note it’s says “significant dementia” before officially diagnosis dementia.
my one of in law says as long as no officially diagnosed with dementia , she can be just regular old person .
( other words he can take her to back to the job)

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Someone can *appear* to behave as if they have dementia, but often dementia is diagnosed by discounting all other medical causes. There's a simple cog and memory test that can be given by a primary doctor (draw the clock face at a specific time, remember 3 or 4 words after 10 minutes). Then there are tests for specific cognitive functions, like executive (judgment), such as the MoCA test. But a UTI, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, HBP, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, CHF, under- and over-medication of certain drugs, tumor, etc. can all produce dementia-like symptoms but are often treatable and the person regains their cogntive function and memory. Neurologists can do scans and imaging to actually see changes in the brain that align with certain dementias, like ALZ and vascular. If the senior you are referring to does not have an assigned Power of Attorney, then even if she has diagnosed dementia but is in denial, it will be difficult to get her to cooperate with any changes in her life to keep her, and others around her, safe. She is still her own person legally allowed to make her own bad or dangerous decisions until it gets bad enough that social services (APS) needs to be called in to intervene and get her appropriate legal advocacy and health care. The courts can then assign her a legal guardian who will then manage all her affairs and make all decisions for her in her own best interests.

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Thank you very much for your reply.let me explain more. My question is about MIL. She is 90years old and refusing to have any test. To me she is obviously dementia. For example ,She is fecal incontinence . She refuse to take shower or clean up, feces is all over. She can’t remember 3 words after 3min. She doesn’t make food anymore but she says she make dinner often. She was working as part time job ( more than 30years) she says she went to work last week but she is off past 4month because she was rehab facility for 3month from fracture.whats bother me is her one of children try to let her back to
work because she want to keep the job. I told him it’s not safe for her . However the in law told me that she is not officially diagnosed with dementia. So even thought we all know what’s is,legally she is regular old person.
If he is right, is she ok to drive too?
( she doesn’t drive anymore)
I really don’t understand how come the in-law trying to let her work?
she is very frail.

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Dementia diagnosis.

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