Beginning

danielleml92

My mother (59 years old) was officially diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer’s disease on Monday. I don’t really know where to start with how to feel or what to expect with this diagnosis. I feel devastated and confused- unsure if this is something that can stay the same or if it will always progress. Any tips?

SusanB-dil

Hi danielleml92 - Welcome to 'here', but sorry for the reason.

You've found the right place for support and answers. Unfortunately, so sorry, but it does progress.

A couple of books - 'Somebody I Used to Know' by Wendy Mitchell. It is a first-hand account of early-onset. She has several books out. And also 'The 36-hour Day' has lots of information to use throughout this new journey you find yourself with. Teepa Snow has a series of videos. And there is a 'Solutions Center' you can click on to the right, right here... with more info.

JeriLynn66

Everyone here is always ready to listen and help... There’s also a search 🔍 at a the top of the page for additional resources. Also the 24 hour hotline linking you with Licensed Care Coordinators… we’re here for you… others will chime in. Hang in there ❤️

Quilting brings calm

A truism here- if you’ve seen one dementia patient, you’ve seen one dementia story. Everyone is different. MCI typically lasts between 2-7 years before the next stage, mild dementia, which lasts two years, and on and on.

Early onset ( before age 65) can progress quicker. Or not.

Now is the time to get your mom to update her will, to give someone medical and durable power of attorney, to put someone on her checking account to pay her bills etc. Talk to an elder care attorney.

Start thinking of where your mom might like to be, or where you’d like her to be, in a few years. Closer to family? In a particular independent or assisted living facility?

terei

Quilting is right on. Make sure your mother’s legal + financial affairs are in order NOW. Do not wait. AZ can progress very quickly + a year or two from now, she may be unwilling or unable to participate in taking care of these things.

M1

Welcome to the forum Danielle. What you've written is a little ambiguous. A lot of practitioners are reluctant to diagnose Alzheimer's initially-they will say "mild cognitive impairment" because psychologically that may be easier to accept than an out and out dementia diagnosis-almost like they want to "ease" you into it. Technically, mild cognitive impairment does not always progress and that is part of the definition. However, if you have been given a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer's, then yes, you can expect progression. You may or may not want to pin them down on the distinction and how she actually scored if she has had formal neurological testing. It may matter, if she might be a candidate for a trial of one of the newer therapies. Clarifying that issue should be an early priority, along with the legal and financial planning issues that have already been mentioned.

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SDianeL

danielleml92, welcome to the best place for info and support. So sorry you are here because of your Mom's diagnosis. My DH was diagnosed 2 years ago with dementia, possibly vascular but couldn't have an MRI so they weren't sure. My sister also has dementia and my brother-in-law suggested that I get with an attorney and get a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) immediately. I'm so glad I did. Within about 6 months he could no longer read and understand documents or sign his name. I used the DPOA to sell our RV and purchase a new car and rent an apartment. Get the Medical POA to be able to talk with her doctors and make decisions on her behalf. Don't wait. My husband's diagnosis was recently changed to: Alzheimer's-Posterior Cortical Atrophy based on further review of 2 CT Scans and his current behaviors which I keep track of. So in 2 short years I am now his full time caregiver and he is Stage 5 going into Stage 6. (Stages don't matter except in generalities because people can overlap stages. Everyone progresses differently.) Here's a handout someone else shared that helped me understand what's happening. The more you learn about this terrifying and heartbreaking disease the more you can help your Mom. Please keep us posted. https://tala.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Tam-Cummings-LLC-Handouts.pdf