I am in need of help in dealing with my mother who has moderate dementia symptoms. She contantly repeats herself, doesn't remember where she is going when driving, doesn't remember eating for the day, doesn't remember what's been said less than 5 minutes ago, doesn't remember that her bills have been paid and will pay them again in the same month, can't remember where she puts things, finds her work checks in the house and swears that someone has placed them there. The list goes on and one. She has accumulated so much stuff in the house, doesn't know where it came from or how it got there. Always states she's broke but has money in the bank. She goes to the check cashing place to buy money orders and can't remember that she can get them from the bank for free. At any rate, I need help in assisting my mother with all these tasks as she can not do them on her own. She denies of course these things, and says that she can do everything on her own. She doesn't care for children the way she used to but still wants to have her day care and she doesn't remember the children's names. She also has chosen to adopt 3 children, 2 boys and a girl all under the ages of 12 yrs old. THey take advantage of her when it comes to food and her money. They know that she loves to shop, so as a result, they use it to their advantage. This is a dangerous thing. One those children don't get the attention they need, two they're doing poorly in school, three-they eat up all the food in the house and don't leave her any the only food she gets is what they don't want and they refuse to do their chores, they steal her money, so she is forced to hide her purse and you know what happens next, she can't find it when she needs it. SHe is nice to people that clearly don't have her best interest at heart, they take advantage of her as well. I'm scared, I feel alone in this and don't know what to do. My mother will be 72 yrs old in December of this year 2007.SHe also falls off to sleep constantly, even at stop lights.Something has to be done as soon as possible.I am so stressed out because I don't know how to deal with my mother on this level. I've taken care of Alzheimer's patients as a CNA, but never to this degree.There is no one in our family that is willing to help me out except a cousin of mine which is her sister's oldest daughter, but even her family can not step in and do anything until I can get my mother the necessary help, since I am her immediate family member. My father whom she is still married to won't even offer help, he just states, "there ain't nothing he can do about it." and hangs up the phone.I'm at my wits end and don't know what to do about my mother.She can't even remember my phone number and swears that I keep changing it, I've had this same number for 3 years. Her childhood is what she remembers most and the people in our family, but only names and faces,nothing else.This experince is having me in tears trying to do this on my own.I don't have a vehicle to drive but she does and she gets around as if nothing is wrong with her. This is also dangerous. Thanking you in advance, Venise Hughes hughes.venise@gmail.com
