My Story

Family Unity

Written by sqmilla

Hi
I've just joined DementiaNet. My mother is 83 and in the middle stages of the disease. While this is distressing my father and brothers(I have 3)just make the experience a thousand times worse. Dad has only recently pulled his head out of the sand and begun accepting that he needs help if she is to continue living at home. They have become very reliant on me and while I'm happy to be there as much as I can, I live 3 hours away and have work and family committments. I have one brother who lives close by and calls in regularly to see them but he is in total denial that Mum has dementia. He continually undermines efforts to get help for her.I contacted Aged Care and we arranged some support services to give Dad some time out so he can bowl etc. My brother has told them that they don't need the help - Mum can't even remember how to peel a potatoe. This has fed her fear and paranoia and she is being incredibly difficult now. He refuses to read about the condition - how do I manage this?? My other two brothers are OK but live in different states. We've tried the group emails to keep everyone on track but he is a loose cannon. Any idea's?