Signs of dementia

[Taylortractornut]

Kinda hard not too. When your whole company wants to walk out. He uses his neighbor that's an NP as his main dr. My opinion on that is she's a quack. And he refuses to go to another His wife says there's nothing wrong with him but more or less I think she doesn't want the paycheck to end.


Common sense things are getting worse. I have a truck that's out of service due to a rollover and he got it in his head to use it to swap dumpsters on the yard instead of dumping them directly from the truck that hauls them. Saying it won't take anymore people or time.

I actually had to disable it the other day. The insurance and tag has been dropped for six months. I meet the new hire in it taking a dumpster to the plant. Dad sent him in it. It's the drivers fault to the truck has no turn lights. Bad tires and a host of other wreck damage. He can't see that. I hate to get him fired. But I'm worried he's gonna either not make it to work or kill someone. He admitted to going to town last week getting a mile from home and nothing looked the same. To the point he pulled over for an hour.


No one rides with him at work now because he's dangerous to ride with. he gets offended by it. Dads never had a business sense and pissed Away Two fortunes. I'm on the other hand cautious with my money because I'd like to retire one day. He started trying to sell me his personal truck. I care nothing for it I like my old paid for Dodge. He started calling me a cheap @$$ in front of the other workers because I won't give 17000 for his truck. I'm almost debt free at 37. He lays claim to anything he finds here at my place. I've had to lock things up that I haven't had to before.

 

[hturner12]

Since he want to to a different Dr, is there any way you rouse a company requirement that all employees must have a new physical but have him the only one that actual get the physical. Maybe have several guys actual go thru the process but no physical

 

[coldsteelva]

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I kind of like the company requirement thing; maybe he will go for it. A quality physical from an MD would be able to rule out physiological problems (heart/nutrition) that may be the source of the issues.

When I have dealt with dementia/Alzheimers folks, I find it best to get them first thing during the morning that they wake up. That is the point at which their lucid mind was sharpest. You may be able to get better cooperation during that window.If no such window occurs first thing in the morning, I'm sorry to say it may already be too late.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I deal with Primary Care Providers all the time. Some of the best ones are NPs. However, there are lots of ineffective PCPs (both NP and MD).

I would also stress that there are reversable causes of dementia. He need to see a geriatric specialist or neurologist. Getting him there will be a problem. I see this frequently and it sucks.

 

[hawkeye08]

Sorry you are going through this, sending prayers your way, some good advice already given... need to figure out a way to get a competent doctor to have a look.

 

[polo1665]

Can't say much more than the others have here. My mom has Alzheimer's, came on slowly for her. Starting out she had a hard time finding the word she was looking for, now her short term memory is pretty well shot. Still remembers all the kids though, so there's that. The whole situation scares the crap out of me. Hard to watch this happen to her.

Give your dad as much support and love as you can muster. Get him to a decent doctor. Like the others have said, could be something else causing the problem.

 

[k0ua]

Can't say much more than the others have here. My mom has Alzheimer's, came on slowly for her. Starting out she had a hard time finding the word she was looking for, now her short term memory is pretty well shot. Still remembers all the kids though, so there's that. The whole situation scares the crap out of me. Hard to watch this happen to her.

Give your dad as much support and love as you can muster. Get him to a decent doctor. Like the others have said, could be something else causing the problem.

The above description is where My wifes mom is at now, only she is having a little trouble remembering some of the grand children. She is also having trouble telling the difference with the switches that turn on the lights in the garage, and the push buttons that open and close the garage door. She has done this several times. She just cant remember anything that she is taught. It all goes in one ear and out the other. It all starts out with such small mistakes, but they grow larger over time

 

[Big Barn]

It's very difficult for you to be objective. Regardless of WHAT is wrong with your father, he needs help and the situation in the short term is NOT going to get better.

IMO you are morally obligated to at the very least, report your concerns to the company. Your father's, as well of the well being and safety of you and your co-workers is at stake.

I see elderly confused motorists who shouldn't be on the road often. I've given instruction to MY daughter to report me to DMV if I EVER display erratic behaviour.

I know I won't like it at the time, but I have enough common sense to realize the value of my wishes while I am still "somewhat" mentally competent.

Terry

 

[flusher]

My SIL is a neurologist and talking to him I'm impressed how difficult it usually is to determine exactly what disease is behind the symptoms. This is especially true for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
My son's FIL age 79 was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's. Now the diagnosis is Lewy Body Dementia.

 

[CCWKen]

No matter what you think may be hard on you now, love them while you can. Went through a terrible time with my dad until he passed away in 2010. By that time he didn't know who any of us were and THAT scared him. You could see it in his eyes. I even have a scar on my forehead from when he hatchet-chopped me with a dresser mirror. Still, a good hug and "I love you, Dad" had a more calming effect than any drug did. You need to get him to a doctor before the violence gets worse. And typically, it will. And be sure to remove all access to firearms if they're in the house. There's not a day that goes by that I look at the picture on the wall and wish he was here. The good memories far outweigh the bad. It was hard to see a WWII hero go down like that.