My Dad was recently diagnosed
We lost my Mom this past October from an epic battle with MS and all that comes with. We saw that my Dad had memory issues but we were focused on Mom. I am going to get rid of the WE and talk from my perspective. I was not able to balance both and Dad was learning to fend for himself. Since Mom has passed Dad has gone downhill very quickly. My brother and his family walked away. I understand why. We did not grow up in a healthy family and my Dad was emotionally and verbally abusive but he is broken now and needs help. He doesn't know what he did to us all he knows is that he wants his family around. He is very demanding & 27 calls a day is a slow day. I don't know how to tell him that my brother is not coming back. I don't know how to tell him that I am not bringing his car back because he is not safe to drive. I know we are supposed to agree and change the topic but he won't let these topics go. Every day, many times a day he calls me upset about my brother and I don't know what to say. There isn't a good spin on this. I told him today that I would return his car, just to end the loud, plea for it back. He can't have it back. I don't know what to say and I need to be able to say something. I am so stressed out and I want to do the right things. Help, suggestions, PLEASE!
Hi Renee, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Thank you for sharing and being here with us. I understand that this is hard. I was a caregiver to my father, and he went through a similar time of numerous phone calls and where/what happened to certain family members. Like you and many others who are caregivers, sometimes we have to say things to soothe a loved one. It's not what we would like to do, but sometimes it has to happen. You are doing your best to navigate your father's Alzheimer's journey. Do you have support, and are you part of a support group? If you haven't already, plan a follow-up visit with your father's doctor to discuss the changes you observe and attend to. They may have suggestions to share. Our editorial team members write about a range of topics. You can use the search bar to locate information about behaviors and changes that occur with Alzheimer's disease progression. When I came across this article, I thought of you. https://alzheimersdisease.net/living/coping-through-stages. Our community is always here. I'm sending along peace and comfort during this challenging time. Warmly, Nancy Team member
I saw your post and first wanted to say that I am sorry for the loss of your mom, this past October. I lost my mom in 2019. Both of my parents had the Alzheimer's Disease diagnosis and mom battled cancer.
I wanted to reach out to see how you are doing and how things are going with your dad?
Also, I have included an article I wrote about the topic of driving and Alzheimer's disease. https://alzheimersdisease.net/living/when-dementia-affects-driving. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, AlzheimersDisease.net team Member.Hey Renee,
I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s diagnosis. It’s a challenging time, but there are ways to cope and support him through this. Here are some tips that might help:
1. Get Informed: Learn as much as you can about his condition. Understanding what he is facing can help you provide better support.
2. Communicate Openly: Keep the lines of communication open with your dad and the rest of your family. Share feelings and concerns and listen to each other.
3. Take Care of Yourself: It’s important to look after your own health and well-being. You will be better able to support you’re your dad if you are also taking care of yourself.
4. Seek support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to support groups or professional counselors who can provide guidance and emotional support for you and your family.
5. Help with Practical Things: Offer to help with daily tasks or errands. This can relieve some of the stress and allow your dad to focus on his health.
6. Be Patient: Understand that there will be good days and bad days. Patience and compassion can go a long way during this time.
Remember, it’s okay to seek help and take time to process your own emotions. You’re not alone in this, and there are resources and people who can support you and your family through this journey.
