Saturday, May 18, 2013

Thursday, May 17, 2012 Guwisti asks

Q: Mom with Alzheimer's wants to marry and move 6 hours away

My mom is in the early stages of diagnosed Alzheimer's. Off an on she has been talking to her sister's widow and everytime they talk she talks to me about moving (6 hours away) and marrying him. It got worse this last week. I convinced her to have him come down for a week so they could actually date and be around each other for a solid 24 hours. She keeps saying he's a nice man and he is, but she's never seen him for an extended period of time, just glimpses into her sister's marriage (they were married about 13 years).  Well mother's day came and we had a great time and talked and she decided she didn't want to move up there and that she didn't know what she was thinking. Then last night her truck broke down. Cost way more money than she had to fix. She called him and he offered to wire her money. Now of course she's talking about moving back up there. This would entail her selling her house (not paid for) and moving 6 hours away to live with a man she's ever been around for a solid 24 hours. I am totally against this. I don't know what to do. I want to lock her up so she can't leave. I'm a total loss and completely stressed out. Stressing my marriage which is already stressed (we lost both of my in-laws in our first year of marriage and this is just year 2) I don't know what to do. She's not bad enough to be in a home, still gets out and about, keeps her house up, drives in town.  ideas?

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Answers (3)
Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide
5/18/12 5:55am

This is tough because she does have rights. You've been handling this well, so far. Do you have POA for health care? If you don't it should be done now (don't mention the marriage - just that she will need you to help her with health decisions as her AD gets worse. 

 

What is this man's attitude? Yes, he's nice, but he may not want to marry someone diagnosed with AD. If worse comes to worse, tell her to keep the house but to move up and live with him for awhile. That may settle the whole thing.

 

Unless she has a lot of money (and if he wired her money for her car, it sounds like she doesn't) he likely won't be willing to take on the medical obligations (bills) that will go with her care if he marries her. Can you talk sense to him? Suggest that they just be friends?

 

They are both likely lonely and do like each other. That doesn't mean they have to sell her house and get married. Try for an even bigger compromise than you've done so far. Other than that - she will do what she will do unless you get a court order to declare her incompetent. That would be hard to do at the stage. If she insists on trying to sell her house, maybe you'll get lucky and it won't sell before she changes her mind and comes back.

 

Let's hope he has more sense. Perhaps a visit of a week will take care of the whole marriage "threat." 

 

Obviously, if you don't think she is safe doing even this, you'll have to try another angle, but it's the only solution I can think of. Good luck!

Carol

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Dorian Martin, Health Guide
5/21/12 4:03pm

Hi, Guwisti,

 

I agree totally with Carol's assessment of the situation. I'd also encourage you to really focus on working with your husband to find ways to eliminate the stress on your marriage because, as your mom's Alzheimer's gets worse, it will add more stress on you as an individual.  Having a supportive relationship will be really important as your mom's mental status changes and you increasingly take on caregiving duties.


Take care and keep us posted!

 

Dorian

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5/23/12 1:22pm

Guwisti,

 

I understand the issue. Mom is lonely and thinks the guy can help out. Did you talk to the guy? Does he understand AD will get worse? She won't be able to support him and he will need to support her a lot more in the future.

 

My father-in-law had similar situation. Well, his late wife just died and right away, there is a close friend who lost her husband the same year but one month earlier.

So they went for dates and my FIL planned to marry her. I think she thought about it but she knew at that point that my FIL had dementia although not diagnosed. So she had the condition that he had to ask her to manage his money. Of course, he said no and the whole thing was off. After that, the lady didn't want to anymore as she thinks he is stingy. I think she seriously considers that. Later my FIL forgot he refused her and still wanted to marry her but she no longer wants to. Now he is too sick (severe stage).

 

The key is the man. Talk to the man since he is also relative. I think he wired money because he was a relative. Discuss with him behind her back. See what is going on. Make sure you tell him Mom has AD and will get sicker and I hope he will back off.

 

It is nice to have romance but you have to balance it out for her sake.

 

Regards,

NC

 

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By Guwisti— Last Modified: 05/23/12, First Published: 05/17/12