Dementia

[jimandsharynp]

My wife is mentally fine at the moment. Brain and memory working fine just a bit slow. Is this the experience of most and if not at what point does the mind begin to really deteriorate? Thanks for your help.

Jim P

[CateT]

Hi Jim,

Yes, that is our experience, but my mum can no longer speak so now we are unsure. Up until a couple of months ago she could say the odd word and we were amazed at her memory. I am also very interested to hear what others have to say about this as I wonder all the time.

[Jeff]

Hi Jim,

Jeff has struggled with his speach for the last year and now he is only able to moan if anything. Even though his ability to communicate verbally dimished, there was nothing wrong with his memory or the thought process. I know that he's still in there, full faculties, even though he can't express himself verbally.

This is what makes the situation so much sadder!

Sheri

[jillannf6]

hi all

i am sitll ok and my brain is ok - a lot of grey matter sitll to go i am sure

but it si a worry tha twhen i can no longer communicate tha tmy wishe s r carrie dout

so i have an lpa with an added page on health and welfare

and my g p and consultant have a copy

lol JIll

[jimandsharynp]

I'm in the same situation. My wife's mind is fine but just reacts very slowly. I think that the mind stays pretty much in tact until the end. Remember, this is not an Alzheimer's type disease. It doesn't attact that part of the brain. The good part is that their mind will be with us to the end even if they can't speak or see or be mobile. Sad part is that they will know what is happening to them as it happens. They are sort of trapped in their body at the end. My comments are my understanding of PSP after many, many hours of research. If I'm incorrect I'm sure someone will correct me. Hang in there!!

Jimbo aka Jim P

[Hidden]

My hubby is just as wise and insightful as he always was, but he is in sort of a delayed reaction mode. He also says yes when he means no and repeats the last part of a question or comment from others sometimes. I do ask him several times what he wants just to make sure he gets to the answer he's working toward. Does that make sense? I do wonder what will go first ---his already limited ability to walk or his ability to communicate.

[jimandsharynp in reply to Hidden]

Rosemarie, Have you already established a siginal system for yes and no responses? If so what is it?

[Hidden in reply to jimandsharynp]

No, I guess I thought we would have time for that and I could keep him talking as long as possible, but I probably should do that soon. He was the most talkative man in the world and it's hard for him now, especially in any kind of group situation. He's been diagnosed over a year now, could his ability to speak go so quickly? We've only seen dr 3x, so I need to ask more questions.

[jimandsharynp in reply to Hidden]

RosemarieLynn, Ask all the questions you like. We are here to answer to the extent we can.

Jim P

[Hidden in reply to jimandsharynp]

Thank you so much.

[superman888]

To be honest my mum is not the person mentally as she was when this illness started. PSP eats away at numerous parts of the brain, thus the person is going to be different over time. The only real difference between this illness and Alzheimer's I think is that people with PSP have much of their memory intact and are more conscious of themselves and their environment. Basically I find it a bit like the aging process in reverse, both physically and mentally. Its not simply the person is paralysed and the brain is largely intact, the person's brain is damaged in numerous locations so its much more complex.

[Jash]

I'm curios, what has been your experience lately?