Does he HAVE to be diagnosed by a Physician? I wrote a few weeks ago about my husband crossing the road to collect the mail. We are still working on that situation and I truly appreicate your comments. I have tried most of the comments but so far I still cannot get him to work with me. My next step is trying to get the mailbox put on this side of our road. I mentioned that to him and he feels like if I do that he will get turned in and have other things taken from him. (go figure) But in time that is my plan.
Now for the present, he has not been diagnosised by a physican as yet, I have yet to approach him with the word dementia. He can still drive at the present, althou I have been doing 95% for the last 4-6 months. He still enjoys tinkering with mechanic or guy stuff. He is having difficultly in using the phone and watching movies, he has begun to ask "what does all the mean". He has problems with most tasks and making decisions is out of the question. So he still can operate on his own somewhat. But I am so uncertain about all this that is driving me up the wall right now. Am I imaging some of this or making more out of it than what it is, or is this just called denial. I am making him another app. with the geriatric Dr. that we have used in the past some. Would I have to get a referral to see a neurologist? Have so many questions right now,. He had a stroke about 6 years ago and a heart attack 2 years ago with a stent put in. He has had MRI's, Cat Scans and X-rays and so far they say all they found was he has arthritis. He will 80 soon. Just need to start somewhere so here i am. Thanks to all.
I think probably the best reason is to assess his situation and know what can be anticipated in the future, and make contingent plans accordingly.
One thing I would do is encourage his "guy stuff". Take him to Home Depot, Lowe's or other Man Caves on a weekly basis. Let him wander around and imagine what he could do with all the stuff he sees.
It will help him focus on things he innately enjoys and help keep his mind alert.
I think whether you would need a referral for a neurologist would depend on the type of health care you have. With our Medicare, we use referrals only to help us decide which doctors to see if we're uncertain. Otherwise, we see who we want to see.
Did the stroke affect his brain? Did you notice any changes after that happened?
It might also be that given the stroke and the cardiac issues, his focus is shifting more toward what he's losing and how his life is changing. That in itself can cause uncertainty, confusion and resistant behavior as he hangs on to what he has and tried not to lose any more.
I'm not even 70 but I can see my own focus shifting and my attention span changing. My short term focus has changed as well. And it's definitely unsettling. So I'm making plans to keep my mind alert as I creep into old age; then perhaps it won't be such a shock as/if I reach that unwanted destination.
As to who can diagnose, I don't know of anyone except a physician who could diagnose dementia. I've heard people announce that so-and-so has Alzheimers, that they've seen enough dementia to know it without having had a diagnosis. But I wouldn't rely on anyone who felt he or she was capable of making the same kind of decisive diagnosis for purposes of treatment.