Welcome to CareNotes. In this special section we will feature a reader's letter and provide an opportunity for an interactive exchange that will help find some answers and possible solutions to concerns.
Suspected Alzheimer's
Hello! I have been receiving your newsletter at a different email for a while. Are there any resources or do you have any advice from how to separate out a personality from the disease progression of suspected Alzheimers?
My mother has always had a manipulative personality and has wanted to be the focus of attention. She will not be evaluated for an official diagnosis of Alzheimer's or whatever disorder. She doesn't want to know which makes it challenging for us to truly know how to handle things.
Honestly there are times that we cannot tell which issue is at work. She will take bad attention versus no attention. She knows how to manipulate what she wants and how to "push our buttons". We truly want to try and figure out which time is which. If she truly cannot help herself due to the disease, that is one thing versus trying to manipulate the situation. We are at our wits end.
If there are any advice and/or reading materials, etc that you can suggest, we would be incredibly grateful!!!
It is crushing to see such a strong woman become someone readily surrendering her independence.
Many thanks!!
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