dementia is just the worst

My late OH's conversation and behaviour became inappropriate and T times quite scary.

The only blessing was that there was sufficient control to not do or say these things to our DDs - as far as I know - but they would have spared me that information I am sure.

He also became very paranoid and threatened me, as he thought I was trying to poison him.

It was all hell.

It is indeed a horrible, cruel illness. I watched my mother slowly deteriorate over a period of years, and now we are going through it all again with my MiL. And it affects different people in different ways - some are very passive with it, others can become very argumentative or even violent. You really do lose the person twice - firstly as the disease robs them of everything which made them 'them', and then finally when they pass away.

I recall watching a TV programme once about a gentleman with dementia who became really quite crude with his female carers. It did embarrass his family to the extent that they got a live in male carer so that the behaviour stopped.

It is a horrible, horrible illness robbing people of their dignity. I saw it with a friend of mine who is now in a care home. She went from being an independent free thinking clever woman to being an inane airhead saying some very inappropriate things indeed. I hate the disease.

Incredibly cruel. This happened to my friend who became very amorous towards complete strangers. I won’t go into any detail, but it was so undignified and out of character. Thankfully it was a phase that quickly passed as she descended into that awful illness.

Dementia is indeed a cruel disease. It often takes away inhibition. Not much you can do about that other than try and explain to other family members why she behaves as she does and speaks out character. Don't feel awkward or embarrassed just try and accept, it is what it is - easier said than done , I know that. I wish you all well.