Caregiver for brother

dolney

I'm new at this. Since June of this year, 2024, I have been trying to take care of a younger brother with altered mental status, who since that time has shown short term memory loss and confusion. I took him to a neurologist and had test done. Other than determining his basic physical health was ok and that he had suffered a stroke "sometimes in the past" we have not been given any direct diagnosis. At first his STML was the forefront of our problems, with him unable to remember anything as current as a few moments earlier. Now he is stating things that have not happened but believing them strongly. He was also having bad panic attacks several times a day.
I called his neurologist and was told he needed to see a psychiatrist as his neurologist didn't handle panic attacks. Most recently he is trying to walk away from our home (I took his truck keys as soon as I brought him home in June). I took him to the mental health dept but was told I needed to contact the neurologist, so back to square one.
I need a good stable tracking device for him but also a home security alarm as he has now trying to leave
after we go to bed at night.
I took early retirement to take care of him and he is on disability from previous health issues, so we are on a fixed income. I was able to get him health insurance recently.
I'm afraid I will say or do something wrong that could worsen whatever is going on with him as I have no experience working with someone with dementia or like mental issues.
I feel we have been given the run around by physicians and we are getting no closer to finding out what has happened to his mind.
I am looking for any help that would be beneficial to my brother.....please!!!

mabelgirl

I’m sorry you have not received help with your brother. He certainly sounds like he is suffering from dementia. Hallucinations , hearing things , making up stories and wandering are all very common behaviors. My mom does them all but wandering. She also has the typical anosognosia which is the inability to recognize their deficit. I would ask the neurologist for a cognitive test at minimum. They can also do an MRI but we personally didn’t do that. We were told between the cognitive and behaviors dementia could be diagnosed. The type of dementia is suspected based on the type of behaviors. Have you applied for Medicaid for him? You didn’t mention his age but there is Medicaid for disable people (under 65 yo) as well as elder.
I didn’t try this but was told if you put a black rug in front of their door a PWD will not walk past it. I put an alarm sensor outside of my mom’s room and bathroom with the sound part in my bedroom that way I would certainly be waken if she got up in middle of night.
Prayers you get some help.

SusanB-dil

Hi dolney - welcome to 'here', but sorry for the reason.

I think I would try a different neurologist - that maybe is more specialized with dementia, as with Neuro-psychologist, or Clinical Neuro-psychology. They can also make sure other things that mimic dementia can be ruled out - such as lyme disease and a myriad of other illnesses, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid, etc…

Also - is his paperwork - DPOA and HIPAA accesses in order?

MIL doesn't wander so much, yet, but agree with maybe a black rug in front of the door. Also - maybe a latch toward the top of the door, as a PWD usually does not look up so much. (Just a latch, though, such as a chain door-guard, as it could be a hazard if locked.)