Interesting article in yesterday's Journal--wife dx at age 56 with newest technology. The couple regrets knowing--even though it may have been something treatable, they can do legal/financial stuff while she's still competent, etc. Good discussion of the pros and cons of early dx. You can read it a wsj.com.
Yes, I read it. Some things can be done early if you "know" but she lost her driving privileges and I think they feel that was done too soon. I wish them good luck. What works for some doesn't for others. Horrible decisions we all have to make for our loved ones who are afflicted.
I notice there is a link just for California caregivers.
Around 1994, my California cousin took care of her mom until she died. Later she found out that there was funding in the form of salary she could have applied for.
I read the article yesterday. I think one of my sons thinks about a heredity factor since dh's sister also had az. I wouldn't have wanted to know this was coming for dh. When nothing can be done what good does it do. When it becomes evident then is enough time for sorrow. If they find something that may prevent az then is the time to screen families in my opinion. But to each his own. Advance estate planning should be done for any family as accidents happen and affairs have to be taken care of.
flo39--I agree with your comment on advance estate planning, but many don't bother to do it when they are "young". With this woman''s dx coming at 56, she may not have previously had her legal affairs in order--the article didn't say anything about that.
My wife's Sx started (in hindsight) at 55. Dx & retirement at 57. (after multiple job losses in the 2 prior years) The Dx was a relief! It explained why she was becoming so incompetent on the job.
We were Dx only through one CT and 3 days of talk testing. At the end they had the 'big family conference' and we were told that she MIGHT have AD. I said you mean she DOES have AD? they refused to say 'does have' and would only say might have' because only an autopsy can Dx. . . . I left questioning THEIR competence to make a Dx. I was not happy. I knew there were too many changes and too much to do to base them on a 'possible' Dx.
As for the drivers license? In the WSJ story they did not 'take' it, she 'lost' it. A notice was sent to the DMV, she was called in for testing and she failed the testing. If she was still as capable as she claims, she would have passed the tests.
I agree with the sister she 'has it' and they are in denial and they think that if they deny it enough it will just go away. Husband admits that she cant do the ordering for the business anymore. I wonder if he still lets her do the banking?
The truth hurts but we all know that is this disease you gotta know things as soon as posible because it is always better to do things too early than too late.
I would want to know while I was still in adequate thinking condition to decide where to park myself for the duration. Even if I weren't ready to move in yet, I'd have the ALF picked out, my house sorted, and the kids would know the plan.
I live in CA & DH's doctor notified the DMV after an examination--that's the law. I'm glad. DH was the rare one who said that he knew his driving had deteriorated and if he had an accident, we could be wiped out whether it was his fault or not because his medical records would show his dementia. It was hard to see him lose his driving, but we never had the fights like many others. It was also hard for me to then do all the driving for both of us.
When docs dx AD, it's usually about 85% to 90% accurate, but only positive at autopsy. Too many other dementia conditions have similar symptoms, so it is often 'probable' AD. Sometimes the dx will change from AD to FTD or something else, or the other way around. Eventually tests will, no doubt, be more accurate, but often, they really do not absolutely know for sure. In 2006, Lunds University in Sweden did a study with 176 patients diagnosed w/some form of dementia. At autopsy, 49% agreed w/the diagnosis; 14% were partly in agreement and 37% had an entirely different dx made after death. Highest level of accuracy was for FTD, it was somewhat lower for AD, VaD or Lewy body. Maybe it has improved after 6 yrs, but dx is still not 100%. It's the nature of the disease to be this way--not easy to cope with. Most people want to know for sure, one way or the other.
I wish we had known sooner than we did. We had wills in place but they were simple wills-you get everything when I die. The extra time would have allowed us to have a more robust discussion regarding assets, living wills, trusts, etc. DH's neuro also reported his medical condition to DMV which revoked his license as soon as they got the letter-no opportunity to test. Just revoked.