About Dimensia?

My dad is 63yrs old & has had dimensia for the past 2yrs. Now he is losing control of his bladder/bowel movements but the aged care assesment team say he is not sick enough to be put into a nursing home so, mum has to suffer, feeding, changing & looking after again, pretty much. He cant really do anything for himself although, i still spoon feeds himself. Thats all though. Do you think he is in the final stage of dimensia? How much longer do you think he has got to live? Also, he has recently had major cancers removed from his face, requiring radiation therapy. Could that contribute to him passing quicker?

Dementia is a funny thing (I have a father-in-law with it).

It does not impare the mental or physical properties of the body. As long as he is physically fit, he could live another 10 years, it's just his mind is gone

Quite frankly, your aged care assessment team sucks. The bigger problem is that he would have to go into a facility that deals with dementia, not just an assisted care facility.

I am surprised they haven't given him a test to determine the extent of the dementia or that the doctor hasn't been involved on this.

You do not say where you are from, but I would do a search on "eldercare" to get someone outside.

Yes, they are expensive, as will this entire assisted care will be, but your mother is suffering as well. (Are you English? "mum" is a tip-off and I do not know how they handle things in the UK, as opposed to the US)

Dementia may be considered a disorder on its own or a symptom of other disorders.

A neurologist or psychiatrist could order brain imaging or other lab work to determine the severity of the damage to the brain and guess at how much time he has left.

Losing control of his bladder may be related to the dementia or something else. You may want to set up another appointment with his doctor or psychiatrist and explain the additional symptoms. They could also, if they feel necessary, conduct more labwork at that time.

you make it sound as if you want him gone for good.if you have questions ask his doctor not people on here. how can we tell how long he has got to live. if your mum asks for help she should be able to get some but it has to come from her not you.there is rest bite. maybe she should ask for it. but it has to come from her.

Usually a person does not die from Alzheimer's or dementia, some other organ will fail like heart or stroke.ect. Your Dad could live a long time in the state he is in.If your Mother is unable to care for him on a regular basis,she could hire a care giver a couple hours a week so she can have a break/go to a movie or dinner.Also you could help her out if you have some spare time to.
Your mother might want to contact his Doctor about placement in an alheimers unit in a nursing home which also can be done on an emergency basis.Say if he were to go to the ER for any reason,they could place him through the hospital.
I know how hard it is to care for some one with dementia as I have worked as a care giver for 20yrs so I know that the family members need some time away in order for them to keep their sanity. Wish you and your Mom the best of luck,God bless!