Alzheimer's diagnosis conflict
Help...my husband of 7 years (73 yrs old) was diagnosed with MCI 6 years ago. His father and all 5 siblings were diagnosed with Alzheimer's, as was his brother at age 60. He believes his mother suffered from dementia.
We have been participating in an Alz research project for the past 6 years. The conflict is that my husband's daughter thinks it will serve no purpose to have her father "officially" diagnosed...I disagree. My husband drives a car, volunteers at the local hospital driving a shuttle, and also marshalls at a golf course on Sundays...all activities involving the safety of other people.
My thinking is that we cannot move forward with a care plan unless we understand the extent of dementia/Alz progression, nor can I seek group support until we have a definate diagnosis.
Can someone help me??
Alzheimer's diagnosis conflict
Help...my husband of 7 years (73 yrs old) was diagnosed with MCI 6 years ago. His father and all 5 siblings were diagnosed with Alzheimer's, as was his brother at age 60. He believes his mother suffered from dementia.
We have been participating in an Alz research project for the past 6 years. The conflict is that my husband's daughter thinks it will serve no purpose to have her father "officially" diagnosed...I disagree. My husband drives a car, volunteers at the local hospital driving a shuttle, and also marshalls at a golf course on Sundays...all activities involving the safety of other people.
My thinking is that we cannot move forward with a care plan unless we understand the extent of dementia/Alz progression, nor can I seek group support until we have a definate diagnosis.
Can someone help me??
Why does his daughter care if he is given an "official diagnosis"? I mean, it can't hurt. It would certainly help in the ways you listed. Plus, different dementias act different ways. So it would be helpful to know what type of dementia you are dealing with so to know what may happen in the future to help prepare yourself.
And safety of others is most definitely a reason to move forward.
Just having a diagnosis of Alzheimer's wouldn't prevent him from continuing to do the things he enjoys. But having a diagnosis would allow the doctors to keep a closer eye on him and hopefully step in once he is no longer safe to do the driving.
Could she be in a bit of denial? Not wanting to know because then it makes it more real that her father has a life limiting disease?
Why does his daughter care if he is given an "official diagnosis"? I mean, it can't hurt. It would certainly help in the ways you listed. Plus, different dementias act different ways. So it would be helpful to know what type of dementia you are dealing with so to know what may happen in the future to help prepare yourself.
And safety of others is most definitely a reason to move forward.
Just having a diagnosis of Alzheimer's wouldn't prevent him from continuing to do the things he enjoys. But having a diagnosis would allow the doctors to keep a closer eye on him and hopefully step in once he is no longer safe to do the driving.
Could she be in a bit of denial? Not wanting to know because then it makes it more real that her father has a life limiting disease?