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Dad's diagnosis of dementia
Today we chat about our own father’s diagnosis of dementia and how it came about.
Coral was aware that things were changing with Dad and something wasn’t quite right. She started the process of getting a geriatrician involved. Dad moved through diagnoses of depression to mild cognitive impairment to dementia.
Coral was pushed into explaining the diagnosis to Mum and Dad because the geriatrician decided not to tell them. This meant Coral had to take on the clinical role and tell Mum and Dad what was happening and what to expect. It changed how Mum reacted and put undue pressure on Coral.
In this episode:
- Depression or dementia?
- A diagnosis of dementia takes time
- What is mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
- The geriatrician didn’t tell Mum and Dad about Dad’s dementia diagnosis
- Coral had to explain Dad’s diagnosis to Mum and Dad
- Why the geriatrician didn’t tell Mum and Dad the diagnosis
- Mum’s reaction to the situation and her struggle to understand why she wasn’t told
- Dad’s response to medication
- How this experience changed Coral’s approach to her work
- Coral believes that the older person and their family need to know so they can educate themselves and be prepared for what’s ahead
Resources mentioned:
- Let's Talk Consultation
- Dementia Australia - Understanding dementia
- University of Tasmania – Understanding dementia online course
Connect with Coral Wilkinson:
Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:
- See Me ACN website
More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:
Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.
We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.
Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.
Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.
Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.
Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home.
We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.
Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones.
Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.
View all episodes
By Coral Wilkinson & Michelle BrownToday we chat about our own father’s diagnosis of dementia and how it came about.
Coral was aware that things were changing with Dad and something wasn’t quite right. She started the process of getting a geriatrician involved. Dad moved through diagnoses of depression to mild cognitive impairment to dementia.
Coral was pushed into explaining the diagnosis to Mum and Dad because the geriatrician decided not to tell them. This meant Coral had to take on the clinical role and tell Mum and Dad what was happening and what to expect. It changed how Mum reacted and put undue pressure on Coral.
In this episode:
- Depression or dementia?
- A diagnosis of dementia takes time
- What is mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
- The geriatrician didn’t tell Mum and Dad about Dad’s dementia diagnosis
- Coral had to explain Dad’s diagnosis to Mum and Dad
- Why the geriatrician didn’t tell Mum and Dad the diagnosis
- Mum’s reaction to the situation and her struggle to understand why she wasn’t told
- Dad’s response to medication
- How this experience changed Coral’s approach to her work
- Coral believes that the older person and their family need to know so they can educate themselves and be prepared for what’s ahead
Resources mentioned:
- Let's Talk Consultation
- Dementia Australia - Understanding dementia
- University of Tasmania – Understanding dementia online course
Connect with Coral Wilkinson:
Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:
- See Me ACN website
More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:
Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.
We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.
Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.
Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.
Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.
Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home.
We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.
Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones.
Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.