My mom is 78 years old and has been experiencing very gradual memory loss for 10-ish years. Has maintained her naturally lovely demeanor, just ask questions that have been more and more repetitive over the years.
She finally visited a neurologist in late November-ish - although the doctor was not a great fit (in personality or area of expertise - his focus is on sleep disorders), he did order an MRI. The neuro's conclusion was mild dementia and prescribed 30 minutes of exercise a day - nothing more. One of my closest friends is a radiologist - we obtained a copy of the MRI to share with her, and she said there was nothing atypical for somoeone my mother's age, and no significant brain shrinkage/degradation.
All was normal at Christmas when my parents, brother and his family came to visit. My mom was normal, but forgetful, though no moreso than the last time I saw her earlier in December.
About a week or so later - just after the first of the year - the wheels came completely off. She has been experiencing serious paranoia. Thinks that my dad is trying to get rid of her, trying to steal her money, etc. My parents have been married for 56 years. She is hiding things around the house, including her own phone and my dad's phone. My brother (Class of '98) lives near my parents and has helped "recover" the missing phones, and definitely feels like the hiding has been purposeful, though she has no recollection. I have been with her several times - taking her shopping and out to lunch - where all is well until it isn't, then she is very, very teary and very fearful that my dad is going to "leave her on the side of the road." I try to reassure her that nothing is further from the truth, while validating that I can see that she is very scared/upset.
She has been to visit her GP as follow up to the neuro visit multiple times now since the first week of January. My dad is keeping a log of her meds and demeanor/paranoid episodes. He is hesitant to take her to someone other than the GP she loves, but my brother and I both feel strongly that a psych evaluation is in order. She is currently on Seroquel and Lexapro, which were prescribed by her GP in early January. The GP added Clonazepam - .5mg as needed. She had three good days this week, but the last two have been kind of awful. More tears, not able to sleep, very paranoid.
I am also researching Alzheimer's Alliance support groups for my dad as a source of networking for medical care.
Any advice would be very much appreciated. They live in Arlington, so any DFW resources would be accessible. Thank you. It is terrible to watch.
She finally visited a neurologist in late November-ish - although the doctor was not a great fit (in personality or area of expertise - his focus is on sleep disorders), he did order an MRI. The neuro's conclusion was mild dementia and prescribed 30 minutes of exercise a day - nothing more. One of my closest friends is a radiologist - we obtained a copy of the MRI to share with her, and she said there was nothing atypical for somoeone my mother's age, and no significant brain shrinkage/degradation.
All was normal at Christmas when my parents, brother and his family came to visit. My mom was normal, but forgetful, though no moreso than the last time I saw her earlier in December.
About a week or so later - just after the first of the year - the wheels came completely off. She has been experiencing serious paranoia. Thinks that my dad is trying to get rid of her, trying to steal her money, etc. My parents have been married for 56 years. She is hiding things around the house, including her own phone and my dad's phone. My brother (Class of '98) lives near my parents and has helped "recover" the missing phones, and definitely feels like the hiding has been purposeful, though she has no recollection. I have been with her several times - taking her shopping and out to lunch - where all is well until it isn't, then she is very, very teary and very fearful that my dad is going to "leave her on the side of the road." I try to reassure her that nothing is further from the truth, while validating that I can see that she is very scared/upset.
She has been to visit her GP as follow up to the neuro visit multiple times now since the first week of January. My dad is keeping a log of her meds and demeanor/paranoid episodes. He is hesitant to take her to someone other than the GP she loves, but my brother and I both feel strongly that a psych evaluation is in order. She is currently on Seroquel and Lexapro, which were prescribed by her GP in early January. The GP added Clonazepam - .5mg as needed. She had three good days this week, but the last two have been kind of awful. More tears, not able to sleep, very paranoid.
I am also researching Alzheimer's Alliance support groups for my dad as a source of networking for medical care.
Any advice would be very much appreciated. They live in Arlington, so any DFW resources would be accessible. Thank you. It is terrible to watch.
