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New Caregiver Advice Needed

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adg5020
adg5020 Member Posts: 1 Member
in Caring for a Parent
Hello - I'm new to this caregiving role and am navigating these responsibilities on top of raising 2 young kids, looking for a new job, and all the other things. Where are the best places to start in seeking help and locating resources? My mother currently has a pseudodementia diagnosis and I'm wondering if anyone else has experience with this type of condition?
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  • towhee
    towhee Member Posts: 493
    Seventh Anniversary 100 Comments 25 Insightfuls Reactions 25 Likes
    Member

    Pseudodementia basically means that someone has dementia symptoms that are caused by something other than dementia. The causes that come to mind are thyroid problems, B vitamin problems, medication side effects, depression. There are other causes. Almost all of them can be treated. So at this point in time the doctor does not think your mother has dementia, although that belief can change if treatment does not improve your mother's condition. Your first step is to drill down into that diagnosis and find out what the doctor thinks is causing the symptoms, what treatment is being given, and when your mother's condition will be reevaluated. With depression especially, if there is no improvement and the symptoms worsen, the diagnosis might change.

  • H1235
    H1235 Member Posts: 960
    250 Likes 500 Comments 100 Insightfuls Reactions 100 Care Reactions
    Member

    Welcome. I would also recommend getting legal matters handled. A DPOA is very important. Dementia is expensive! A lawyer can also help with financial advice and Medicaid qualifications if that is needed. As far as resources I would call your local commission on aging. They can give you phone number and information for the resources you’re interested in. It’s not easy and there is a lot to consider. If you are thinking about assisted living there can be a waiting list to get in.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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