A
male
age
41-50,
*imonbLFCfan
writes:I'm 28, been married for 2 1/2 years now.My dad has been acting strangely over the past month - he always attempts to strip to his underwear in social activities (but we manage to, and always eats and eats, and tells me now isn't as good as 1992, and wishes it was 1992 again.He keeps insisting 1992 was a better year than now, and is obsessed with trying to get anything from that year, be it periodicals, TV news broadcasts/programs, anything!He's been ignoring his hygiene, until my mum prompts him to get a bath.I worry he may have Alzheimer's but my mum insists he doesn't, and it's just a phase he's going through.I've tried to get him to see a doctor, but he won't go, and even my mum's intervention didn't help.My wife's noticed the toll it's taken on me, and has offered to pay for a break away for us to take me away from work (a good job, not particularly stressful, but it has a wage which is very good!) and caring for my dad while he's in this state.I worry about what to do, and my dad's physical and mental health, and if he does have Alzheimer's or not.What should I do? I did talk to my mum but she insisted what he wants to do is his decision.I'm worried about the whole thing and feel as if I'm being tipped over the edge, this is wearing me down.Simon
View related questions:
a break, period, underwear Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
reader, anonymous, writes (3 September 2009): I agree - Mum seems to be in serious denial, but that's not uncommon. She's likely to want it to be a phase so that he can "come out of it..." - otherwise, the relaity is scary. You need an impartail support group, they can shine a light on reality...
A
reader, anonymous, writes (2 September 2009): Contact the local Alzheimer society. If they're like the group here, they'll offer support for families. They should at least be able to (1) confirm if it sounds like he might be suffering from dementia of some form, and (2) give you tips about how to get him properly diagnosed.
FWIW, I think you're quite right to be concerned. I wonder if your mother is in such denial that she can't see it? Keep at it -- whatever is up with him might be very treatable.
Good luck.
...............................
|
