Living with sister who now likely has dementia

Sister Sue

I am thinking I made a big mistake moving in with my sister almost 2 years ago. She is seeing doctors to get diagnosis but thinks it is all bunk (cleaned up her words) am blames me and sees me as the enemy. Even though I manage everything in the house and really her health. She leaves the house for 2 hours every Monday to do laundry and buy groceries. I do everything else. 

I am at a loss for what to do? Sound familiar to anyone out there?

SusanB-dil

Hi Sister Sue - it would maybe depend on just what signs and symptoms you are seeing with your sister. Is she not managing her health very well? Is it just healthwise that she sees you as an enemy?

Iris L.

Sue, are you familiar with anosognosia?  PWDs truly believe they are fine.  If you try to confront her with reality she will resist and get upset, as you are seeing.  You have to learn to use the workarounds that the members talk about.  The board will shutting down for two days.  When it reopens, read as much as you can.  If you can locate "Understanding the Dementia Experience," read that during the shutdown.

Iris L.

SusanB-dil

oh, yes, thank you Iris...  Good reminder about the board being down.

Sister Sue - here is the link to what Iris mentioned:

 https://www.alzconnected.org/uploadedFiles/understanding-the-dementia-experience.pdf

Angelbaby87

sue...im an in home caregiver.i work one week on and one week off(if i get lucky with having more days to work) and my client has dementia and she also looks at me like the enemy when im doing everything i possibly can in my power to keep her happy, healthy and take care of her home..im at my wits end and very emotionally impacted..you are not the only one hun..i hate my job..only been working for a week and do not think i can handle another week... don't get me wrong,she is nice when th illness isnt affecting her but is very hateful when it is affecting her...i dont know how to cope with all this stress