My mother. Can I just take her and have her evaluated for dementia?
My mom moved in with me and she has been become very argumentive. Whenever there is a change or something is not going her way, she becomes very argumentive. She has no balance and must hold onto the walls, furniture, us, to get from one place to another. We have brought in a walker she insist she does not need a walker. My husband has been with her helping everyday for three months and just went back to work. I want to bring in somebody to be with her but she will not hear of it. She calls people on the phone daily and leaves messages sometime up to 10 phone calls per day. I have no poa and no guardianship, how do I get her to accept somebody to come into the home. I am exhausted from her unhappiness and controlling ways. I think she has dementia, but she refuses to go to a doctor to be looked at. Can I just take her and have her evaluated for dementia? I am so tired.
I enlisted my brother to talk with him. My brother told me he read the riot act to Dad. Told him to knock off the sh*t or he could find himself in a nursing home without any autonomy.
Next day I spoke to Dad...and he said "I think your brother is right..I should see a neurologist, my pants don't fit very well any more". Wow, I almost busted a gut to keep from laughing out loud, That is what he got out of the conversation? Wow.
But, he got together with the lawyer... dad was pretty good back at the
At time to keep it together to convince people he didn't need a caregiver or POA...and, .he managed to hold it together long enough to get it all signed.
Amazing what you have to go through to get what you need to help your parents.
Also, keep in mind that depending on how she progresses, assuming that it is dementia, a walker may not help her balance problems. My cousin's balance was so poor, that she would stand near her walker and fall backwards. I actually saw her do it and caught her before she hit the floor! So, don't put too much faith in the walker preventing her from falling. Keeping a fall risk patient from falling and getting fractures is a huge challenge, no matter where they live.
While she may get some satisfaction from calling on the phone, it may have to be curtailed. She likely doesn't remember the calls she's making. That's why she calls so often. She may not recall the one she made a minute previously. And, calling strangers could be risky, since she may still be able to provide sensitive info like SS#, dates of birth, bank accounts, etc. I'd ensure her phone calls were supervised.
I wouldn't worry about getting her to accept help, cooperate, do better, since, if he's dementia, they just don't go that route, most of the time. It will likely get worse as she progresses. I would consider what it's like now and what your options are, understanding that she's not likely to get on board with your suggestions.
Sometimes, medications can help if someone is depressed or anxious. You could discuss that with her doctor, if you are able to get her there.
Make a list of what you have observed and provide it to the doctor before the appointment, so he can see what's going on and know what tests to administer. He can do a mini eval in the office, but some people need more tests, depending on their degree of cognitive decline.
Oh, don't forgot to ask the doctor what else could be causing her to act this way. Just to rule out other causes.
There is a lot of work involved with this. Is there anyone else who can take over this responsibility? I'd think about a lot before volunteering. It will change your life. I'd read a lot of posts on this site in making that decision.
I wonder if it will help to tell your Mom that the person you are going to have some in to help is there to help YOU.
Your Mom might feel that having someone come in will be a financial burden and she does not want to think about the "added expense" that she is costing. So if you explain that the help is for you then she might be more willing to accept someone in. At first when the caregiver comes in have them do a few things for you then maybe help out in Moms room. Then maybe bring Mom lunch. Then ask if Mom wants to get out for a walk. Maybe even tell Mom that "the laundry is in the wash and there is nothing to do until it is dried so we have time to get some fresh air". That way the caregiver will little by little do more for Mom and you can get out.
I took my mom to a geriatric assessment center at the local hospital they diagnosed her with Alzheimer's. It took 3 tries but I eventually got her there. Lie, tell her you want her to meet a friend of yours that is a nurse (that's what I did).
Then we took her to a lawyer, she was livid - but he was an elder care attorney and was extremely good with my mom. Her explained that he works for her, made his recommendation and her defenses went down. POA is essential - or you will not be able to help her.
My mom was never good with home health care- she never accepted it. Each time we tried it was awful. We enrolled her in an adult day care facility that specialized in dementia. She loved it - it gave her a purpose to her day.
Some places like that may even provide assessments - tell her its the local senior center. She may enjoy getting out of the house - and it give you a break.
I had to lay the law down to my Dad back in June. It was me or the NH...pick. I wasn't going to do this without the PoA and medical proxy. I was going to have in home care, and I was going to have all the authority to file for and receive insurance benefits for it. OR...he could go to NH.
He complains about it. Says he has no control over his life . But it was my way.
So..put your foot down. You cannot be left to have all the responsibility in this without the authority.
As to her refusal to use a walker, for example, you must be firm. Whenever she isn't using the walker, bring it to her. Every time you take her out, insist on her using the walker. Before my MIL agreed to use a cane, she furniture surfed a swivel chair and went face first into the closet.
In general, do not negotiate with your mother. Yours and hubby's home; yours and hubby's rules. When she makes bad decisions, you must reinforce. For example "Mother, your doctor wants you to use a walker and you are going to use your walker."
You do not need to ask your mother's permission to bring in help. Just do it. I don't mean this to sound harsh, but you need to separate your mother the needy patient from your mother the woman you love dearly. Do not make a big production about bringing in help and she will adapt. Act "as if" you are in charge and pretty soon, your mother will realize that you are in charge.
Have her doctor order a PT evaluation so she can be measured for a walker and shown how to use it.
Call your local area agency on aging and ask for a " needs assessment". Tell them (in front of mom) that she's so uncooperative that you fear you'll be found unfit to be a caregiver for her.