Parkinsons turned into Vascular Dementia

madrone

My mom was diagnosed with parkinsons about 5 years ago and a few years ago we were told she also has vascular dementia. Lot of denying going on by her but I was right there when she was told. She is getting some memory loss now, that is noticed more. She cannot remember what she ate earlier in the day and is now not wanting to talk to me as much. I think me asking about meals was stressing her out, and asking what she is doing. So sometimes now, she doesn't answer the phone or makes the calls short. It's hard to talk to her, in most conversations you ask people what is going on. So,it's hard to see this happening right before my eyes now, it is more apparent. I am worrying a lot, thinking I should of done more, only at the time I was in the whirlwind of figuring out how to get this all paid for with the state. And my family offering to talk, they all want to hear about it, that is the help. Only now I am told it is too upsetting to hear about or I am banned from discussing it. Or I am told I have told them this before. I realize I am telling what she is doing which is a lot of repeat behaviors, only it upsets me. No idea how I will cope with this with it seems everyone but me and the neurologist in denial. Well, the neurologist isn't involved now she is in skilled nursing and I was told the doctors there have taken over the medical aspect of this. This whole process has been very overwhelming, and that is me trying to help. I feel terrible, wondering if my mom realizes how much she is now forgetting, how much she is changing. I don't know what to do about the stress from this, maybe I should start walking a lot, or at least going for walks, I haven't been doing that much since being at home over a year now.

Iris L.

madrone wrote:

  a few years ago we were told she also has vascular dementia. Lot of denying going on by her but I was right there when she was told. 

Welcome madrone. This is not denial, but anosognosia, a characteristic of the dementias.  The PWD (person with dmentia) truly believes she is fine, and will become upset if you contradict her.  Do not try to confront her. Learn work-arounds from the other members. 

 Iris L.