Due to the dementia, both of my parents are well below average ability in being able to maintain new information. How must it make them feel to hear this diagnosis over and over again?

I have to imagine it’s awful. Just thinking that this may happen to me brings tears to my eyes. Not as much for me, but for the impact it will have on my husband and kids.

I’ve been mourning the loss of my parents for more than two years.

When we visit the doctors at the hospital, both parents sit through very specific details about their testing and are invited to ask questions. My dad just listens.

My mom was put off by having the doctor only talk to my dad, so she asks for the doctor to do the same thing for her. She, unlike my dad, asks LOTS of questions as well as sprinkles in rebuttals and disagreement with the information presented to her.

My mom is still in denial while my dad seems to accept the information.

In the end, I’m much more versed on my parents mental states as well as understand what to watch for that would signal another step into more substantial care needs.

Dr. P did a great job of using a visual and telling them what’s within the normal range and what’s either above or below normal for their age.

Looking back, I realize how overwhelming and debilitating hearing this information must be. They heard how their brains were failing, that there is nothing you can do to reverse this loss, and over time it will only get worse.

The next step is to see and be under the care of a Neurologist who can help us learn more.

I don’t think I want my parents to have to sit through that again. There is no cure. It only digresses. This doesn’t agree with my glass half full self. Dejected.