I'm concerned for my grandad

My grandad clearly has some form of dementia which I believe is Alzheimer's as it runs in our family and his brother has it. I feel like he is getting worse yet every time I tell my family he needs help nothing is done. Some agree but aren't willing to take him to the GP; others just say that he's happy etc so we should leave him alone. The problem is my family don't realise that it's a progressive disease and it can get worse, all they seem to understand is that it's not curable and therefore they see no point in treatment. I feel as though no body is listening to be because I am 18 and they believe I do not understand anything about the disease, dispute the fact that I have actually studied it and am planning to study psychology at university. I have researched this disease yet no one will listen to me and I don't know what to do. I don't want my grandad to die from this- they believe this wont happen but i keep telling them it will. I need advice!

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  • HELLO.MY HUSBAND WAS DIAGNOSED A YEAR AGO.WITH ALZHEIMER,S VASCULAR DEMENTIA..THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES AS I AM SURE YOU KNOW ..HE IS NOW ON TABLETS THAT WORK TO SLOW THE PROGRESS DOWN.AS YOU ARE EIGHTEEN AND VERY CONCERNED TAKE GRANDAD TO THE DOCTORS YOURSELF..YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE GRANDAD IS WILLING TO GO ..AS YOU KNOW AS WE GET OLDER WE LOSE SOME OF OUR CONCERTRATION AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK WE ARE LOSING OUR FACULTIES...DEFIANTLY GET SOME ADVICE FROM ALZHEIMER,S GROUPS FAMILIES FIND IT HARD TO FACE UP TO THE DIAGNOSIS.BUT SOUNDS AS IF YOU NEED MEDICAL ADVICE... GET HELP NOW...WISH YOU ALL THE BEST .

  • My dad had mixed dementia (Alzheimer's and Vascular) and once he agreed he had a memory problem and started taking Arricept 10mg he became less fretful and easier to handle but it doesn't work for everyone. He needs a diagnosis before anyone provides any help and Social Services will need to assess him and assess his main carer. If you have an Admiral Nurse in your area you can contact them direct. Good luck it's an uphill battle like wading through treacle the diagnosis is the first step on a very sad journey. Dad lost his battle on the 14th May and I would say to anyone try and keep your loved one at home they like routine and if you can buy in their care.

  • can i ask what is an admiral nurse as i have the same as your dad

  • Hi

    It must be hard for you to see your granddad deteriorating in that way and feel no one is taking the problem seriously but it is important to remember he is unlikely to die from Alzheimer's - it's more likely he will live on for quite some time and other people will start to find him more of a burden. It must be particularly difficult for you to care about your granddad's health alone at a time when you need also to be concentrating upon your own future and what you want to do with it.

    In the meantime you are the one who seems to be worried while members of your family perhaps find it hard to face the fact that he may be getting much older in need of help. I am wondering who is the nearest relative? If that person is able to face what is happening to your granddad that will give you some support and hopefully enable your granddad to be referred for assessment. Medication can be helpful in slowing down symptoms as can mixing with people and having activities that keep him mentally active.

    Is your grandad still able to think sufficiently to talk himself about the symptoms? If so you could offer to make an appointment with the GP and go with hm. It's not difficult to be assessed, the GP can refer him to a psycho-geriatrician who can diagnose and treat him.

    Also perhaps you could get some info from the Alzheimer's Society and give those to the people in your family who don't want to understand that your granddad may be able to be helped to slow down his deterioration.

    Suexxx