lemm

Hi not a homeopath but I do work with people who have dementia. I work with under 65's who have dementia and their carers and families.

Dementia is not a diagnosis, it is a label. Alzheimer's is more of a diagnosis, but mosy medics would acknowledge that a diagnosis is a best guess. They really only confirm the diagnosis Post Mortem.

The medical model has very little to offer someone with dementia. Aricept and Exelon are the new "miracle" drugs, but even amongst the medics thier use is controversial. All medicines are poisons and some people will not be able to take it because the side effects are intollerable, or because they have another condition which means it should not be used.

At best these new drugs slow the process for somewhere between a few months to about 18 months. I know people who have taken it and have found it helpful, but at some point it becomes ineffective and must be stopped. i have heard some people say there may be a rapid decline in the person taking the drug after it is stopped, although the medical/pharmaceutical jury is still out on that one.

However, there is lots you can do for your father and yourself and the rest of your family Good health being only one of the things which you can activley promote - any health problems make someone with dementia appear to get worse. Keep up to date on routine eyes, hearing and demtal appointments, eat well...

Keep your father occupied. Keeping him stimulated will help him to make use of the skills and abilities he has. The old saying use it or lose it is true in any kind of dementia.

What does he understand about what is happening to him. It would be usefuil to know what he understands and to talk to him about that.

It would help to put his afairs in order, and if he is to do this he needs to understand why he needs to do it now... even if his symptoms can be helped by homeopathy it would help him to know where all his important documents are (goodness... it would help us all )

Putting together some kind of life story book is a very helpful activity. It triggers memories and offers comfort and some families have found it to be a very healong and comforting activity to do. I am working with a group of younger people with dementia and the living Archive here in Milton Keyens, putting together a book of their life stories for publication - we hope to publish it next summer. The people participating in this have found it very helpful...

NEVER EVER accept it if someone tell you its just the dementia if there is something happening which you think should be investigated... demetia is sometimes used as an excuse for not doing anything...

There is lots which you can do to help yourself and your family... get support. there are lots of online resources.

And yes... I know several conventional medics who rate Ginko biloba and vitamin E very highly.... but check other health problems first, especially before taking Ginko.

And dont forget to look after yourself...

Good luck...
Janyce