Dad's turn.

It is tough rubylady - there are many of us on Gnet who have watched the decline of their parents and it is a difficult time. My heart goes out to you.

I hope you are able to get him to his own GP tomorrow. Life for someone with a dementia illness can be confusing and it is hard to watch this.

Ruby

What a very difficult and worrying time for you all. So many of us can empathise with your situation. It is the most helpless situation to be in isn't it, out of your control but requiring your strength and love and that's all you can give.

I've been there, rubylady. If he was disorientated and feeling strange he could have a urine infection. They come on so quickly and the change in behaviour can be quite alarming.

If you are taking him to his GP yourself it might be a good idea to ring in advance and ask if they want you to take a urine sample.

Chin up!

He did a urine test merlot and it had a little blood in it which will get reported to his own doctor. It may be an infection, I don't know.

POGS There is only me, my siblings have no intention of getting involved. Families eh?

and best wishes, rubylady.

Ruby, I feel for you. I have felt cheated that my father died so young, in his 50s and then my mother died in her 70s. But I never had to witness their slow decline into dementia, and for that I am so grateful. Yes, I wish I'd had my father for longer - that was no age to die. But I know he'd have hated being an old man .

for you, Ruby and I really hope his GP can help.

(((Hugs))),*Ruby*. A friend of ours is an only one whose father has dementia. As I am further along the dementia path with mum, she talks to me a lot. Do you have someone to talk to? Have you heard of Dementia Friends, they are quite active round here and could give you support! Lots of places have special 'dementia' cafes, you could try ringing Ageuk.

Rubyl, sorry about your Dad. My Dad has vascular dementia too. He is very prone to UTI's, falls, and has TIA's, which are all typical in someone with v. dementia. Sounds like he does have a UTI. Get him to pee into a lot and take a sample to his GP surgery. I used to do that when my dad was at home. He didn't need to be there, they tested it at the surgery and sent some to the Lab. Antibiotics soon put him right. I know how difficult it is looking after an elderly parent as my sisters and I took turns to look after Dad. He is now in a care home, being very well looked after there. Keep smiling, and good luck.

I meant him to pee into a pot.

ruby It's so hard to see our parents in decline when they've always been the ones looking after us.

ruby. Thinking of you.

I had a phone call from the NH at 8.00 this morning to say that Mum has a UTI (again) and has had breathing difficulties (again) over the last few days. Shall we hold hands Ruby.

Thanks to you all for your kind support, it means so much at any time, but especially when going through something like this.

I'm taking him today to the doctors, want him to have some blood taken there and then as it would save him getting worked up again to go back another day. Plus it costs me to get to his in a taxi, then to taxi to the doctors. I can't just meet him there anymore, I have to pick him up. I got told off the receptionist that the nurse was away. I asked if the doctor could take blood then? Well, I'll see on that one. I hope so. Why are receptionists so hard to deal with? I will get him tested too with another urine test. It sounds like I'm telling him what to do, and it feels a bit like that but I have to do now to some extent, for his own good. It feels wierd at times.

Hi, we went to the doctors yest, he didn't do a blood test. He gave my dad some stronger Aspirin 300mg one once a day until he can be seen at the TIA clinic. I have been expecting a call from them all day to go for the scan but heard nothing. How quickly has anyone else been seen in a similar situation?

Ruby although we were told DH's scan would be quick it was in fact at least 6 weeks, the waiting list is quite long in most areas. Keep ringing the GP if you are not happy.

It sounds as though the GP is setting the right things in train - I do hope that the wait is not too long.

The doctor made it out it would be within hours, not weeks or days that I would hear from the clinic. My dad did want it to be months off so that he could rest up a bit.

ann I will pm you, it's just my head's been all over the place and like you said it takes concentration more to do a longer message. I hope you have had a good day and I am always here for you.