Any advice on how FIL can help his wife who has dementia and is in complete denial?
My MIL was recently diagnosed with dementia. She currently has no physical issues, just cognitive symptoms including difficulties with memory, word finding, and attention to task. She takes blood pressure medication. She loved to cook her entire life and now is having trouble with recalling the steps, keeping attention to remember what ingredients she put in, etc. My FIL cares for her in their home. He is a kind man and just wants to help his wife. Problem is that MIL is in complete denial of any symptoms. She was assessed by a memory center and they told her she had dementia and explained but it didn't penetrate with her. She often says there is nothing wrong with her and that the problems comes from my FIL. Since she can't recall to take her pills correctly my FIL gives them to her at breakfast each day. But some days she says she doesn't need them and refuses to take them. She doesn't want to go to doctors but my FIL has had some success getting her to a new geriatrician. The doc will enforce that she take medicine and she may agree but again her compliance on a day to day basis is variable. My FIL tries to help with cooking: they will discuss a dinner item, agree on something, get out all the ingredients, and mom will then forget and/or deny they discussed it and want to make something else. Because cooking was never my FIL's role, my MIL will often refuse his help (which she needs to stay on task, and then can be successful) and say she could do it better if he just left her alone. My FIL has begun to attend a monthly support group and that helps a little. I am wondering if anyone has dealt with this in caring for someone at home and how to get them to comply? We're afraid if they get a caregiver to come in that will essentially be a stranger to mom and she won't accept help from them either. She really doesn't accept help from anyone. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
It isn't necessary that MIL acknowledge her disease. It's a waste of time and a guarantee of frustration to try.
YOU make a list of her meds, take them to your pharmacy, tell them your FILs problem. Ask which ones can be crushed and/or made in liquid form. Carry that helpful info back to FIL so he has an alternative other than arguing with her about her meds.
When you make meatloaf, make two. Spaghetti sauce or stew? Twice as much. Bring them meals whenever you can. Enlist other family members to do the same. When you take them over, if FIL wants them in the freezer, mark the containers with the contents and how to reheat.
Encourage your husband to take his dad out for lunch once a month while you go over to keep MIL company. If there is other family, try to become the organizer for others to do the same.
Encourage your FIL to spend money...on house cleaning, home care for his wife, etc.
Look for ways you can support FILs efforts. Give him an outlet to unburden his frustrations without being judgmental. Encourage him to talk to the doctor about her medications -- those that will help her with anxiety, help her sleep, etc. Many but not all, of Alzheimer's behaviors can be modified with meds. Encourage him to reach out.
There are so many other ways you can support your FIL that I'd be a bandwidth hog to keep going. Bring his concerns here. We are a fountain of helpful suggestions for specifics.
Just one last thing. There may well come a time when FILs health or spirit may preclude his taking care of his wife. To that end, some life planning is VERY important. Do some investigating and refer him to an the elder law attorney. VERY IMPORTANT. Knowledge is power.
It's fantastic that your FIL is seeking support. He may also try reaching out to the local Alzheimer's Association chapter. Many have early-stage programs designed specially to help caregivers work around denial and help the person come to terms with the diagnosis and work on living with the disease.
I would agree that trying to explain her condition to her, convince her to agree on meals, menus, household matters, is not productive. Her brain is not working right and there is no way to sufficiently make it work for her. You have to agree with her, do what needs to be done, even if behind her back and protect her as best you can. If your dad needs help caring for her and running the household, then it has to be arranged. Even if she opposes, it has to be done. The family will have to override her protests, since she is not able to comprehend her situation and the need for care. She will not be able to decline help at a certain point. It's like the protection and care you provide to a toddler. We can't let them decide how they are cared for. Eventually, she will adjust and/or not remember that she was opposed to help.
IMO, a top priority would be to monitor your father. He is with her around the clock. He will get the full force of the stress that comes with dementia. The partner or caregiver undergoes enormous stress, because they have to deal with the manifestations of dementia and somehow deal with it, such as, repeating, constantly asking questions, disagreements, false accusations, pacing, false memories, misplacing items, bizarre and inappropriate behavior or comments. It's very stressful to deal with this over time. I would keep an eye on it and discuss future plans for her care.
I would read as much as possible what to expect with dementia. It will progress and eventually, there is incontinence, inability to walk, chew, etc. Making plans for in home care or placement would be prudent. It might be difficult for your dad to do this alone. It is great that he is in a support group. That would make me feel much better.
Although my MIL isn't demented, she refused to accept her illness and limitations and didn't do what was asked of her like use a cane back when she still could walk. Many of us on this forum have gone through it. Learn to say "do this now" "because I asked you to" and "we are doing this right now" because your MIL will never comprehend an explanation. This is going to break your FIL's heart to watch but it's necessary for every one who interacts with MIL to learn.
Acceptance was a big challenge in our family. We had family members who thought they knew better, didn't follow instructions and landed my MIL in the ER.
Learn to trust your gut. Someone has to take charge and, in my opinion and from my experience, it should not be FIL, who is going through his own crises. Have a family meeting and decide upon who gets POA and who the backup POA will be. Whoever takes charge needs to have good judgment and keep the family informed. And the family needs to respect POA's authority because it comes with a huge amount of responsibility. I wish you lots of luck!