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A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭

My dad (70) just had MRI today & will get results Wednesday so I don’t know an official diagnosis yet. He’s been confused for several months on and off but has gotten drastically worse and today was the worst I’ve seen. He has a life partner who lives with him and I see him weekly. Today he was totally off and was talking to people who weren’t there, kept asking to go home, wasn’t sure how far away I lived etc. I’m anxious for Any tips or resources you have learned as far as steps to educate… read more

January 13, 2020
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Members rallied around someone whose 70-year-old father is experiencing worsening confusion and hallucinations before his MRI results, with... Read more

Members rallied around someone whose 70-year-old father is experiencing worsening confusion and hallucinations before his MRI results, with the overwhelming consensus being to immediately secure power of attorney (both medical and financial) through an elder law attorney before cognitive decline makes it legally impossible. Several members shared that elder law attorneys are essential for navigating Medicaid eligibility, asset protection, and state-specific regulations, with one member warning about costly mistakes from relying solely on a nursing home social worker instead of legal counsel. A recurring theme was balancing urgent legal steps with compassionate understanding that dementia causes the brain to malfunction in bewildering ways, with members recommending books like 'The 36-Hour Day' and 'Untangling Alzheimer's,' checking for UTIs that can mimic confusion, and discussing medications like Seroquel that have helped manage agitation and paranoia in their loved ones.

A myALZteam Member

It might be helpful to ask your doctor about a possible UTI. They manifest quite weirdly in many older people.

January 23, 2020
A myALZteam Member

I read a book The 36 Hour Day. It was very informative and eye opening. I try to always keep in mind that dementia is more than memory loss. The brain is no longer processing information as it should. They will do things that make NO sense! They will obsess about trivial things and be oblivious to BIG things. It’s easier for me to be patient when I remember that. This journey is difficult and scary for them too.

January 20, 2020
A myALZteam Member

The most important thing you can do, or maybe the ,life partner you mentioned,
Is power of attorney. This needs to be the person who will be making all important decisions, money, health, everything. Also your father must be cognizant enough to sign the papers giving permisssion. Sounds like he is right on the verge of not being aware enough to do so. If this has already been done, good for you, if not, yesterday is not soon enough. Others will fill you in on other important things. Welcome , glad to have you. DD

January 13, 2020
A myALZteam Member

My father is on Seroquel XR for the same symptoms!!! It has made the biggest difference!!

February 1, 2020
A myALZteam Member

You may need both a POA for medical as well as a durable POA for legal & financial matters. The elder law attorneys will probably share this with you, but just in case, keep both types in mind.

January 14, 2020

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