Memory Loss

[Flossy3]

Over the last few months I have noticed that my 75 year old dad seems to have turned into a very old man practically over night. I know he is getting older but it’s seems so sudden. These are some of his symptoms:-

* slow moving almost tentative
* struggle to understand fully what is being said to him
* has to hold his cup with both hands
* keeps saying his brain is full
* looks a bit vacant sometimes (he is hard of hearing but won’t wear a hearing aid)

My question really is, how do I go about getting him checked. He does not think anything is wrong with him but I am wondering if he has had a small stroke or if it’s dementia. His wife agrees with me but my dad is stubborn. I wouldn’t want to go behind his back, but just maybe get someone to check him out. If I call his doctor and told them, do you think they might call him up for an MOT as they call it? If not what else can I do? Any help would be much appreciated. It’s really starting to worry me now.

Tia
Nicola

[Mamyalynne]

Hi Nicola, I'd select one of the problems that bothers him 'brain full' for example and say that you are sure the Doctor could help with that - at least it may get him thee.

It is difficult.

[Sqad]

" I am wondering if he has had a small stroke or if it’s dementia."

Agreed, that would be my concern as well.
I would phone the surgery and ask to speak to the Dr or at least book a telephone consultation with him and take the advice of your Dr. The M.O.T is a good idea.

[-SharonA-]

Definitely talk to his gp and arrange a home visit. I did this many times for both my parents.

[andres]

Maybe if you could get him to have a hearing test it would help him. When a person is struggling to hear they do find it difficult to carry out a normal conversation. Some audiologists do home visits .If you could persuade him it might help .
.

[Flossy3]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, he has two brand new hearing aids that he wore for about 1 day and decided everything was 'far too loud' lol. Even his wife's footsteps. We told him to bear with it and it would get better but he is stubborn. He can hear us, its more like if he looks away or at the tv he can't concentrate on listening to us and watching something else. He fully admits this. I am considering writing a letter to his doctor. I managed to squeeze it out of him on Monday which one his actual doctors is and that he has an appointment on 12th July. Think I may just ask them to have a chat with him during that appointment and check him out. If not, things will only get worse and I just cannot bear to think about that.

Thanks again everyone x

[gness]

I had exactly the same with my mother, Nicola but any attempt to bring her to the doctor for a check up was met with violence.
I spoke to her GP and he offered to visit her and when he arrived he told her that this was something new being offered to certain patients over eighty.......a visit to see how things were going and a chat.
This worked for my mum because she was a bit of a snob and felt special for being chosen for a visit.... :-)
May not work for everyone and perhaps not all doctors would be willing to do this......it got us started though and got mother into the system for a diagnosis....x