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Mum`s got dementia, she`s 92 and has had a succession of serious falls in recent years, so, reluctantly, we`ve had to put her into a care home and we`re pleased she has settled in really well. I visit most days, she knows us and likes to talk about the old days - every now and then she comes out with a good word ... `pontificate`was one the other day!

I had to give my date of birth to someone over the phone recently. A simple enough task but I hesitated, wondering what format I should give it in, the year could be `51 or 1951. I think we`ve all had the experience of filling in forms, especially online, where you`re not sure how to input the information. I`ve since discovered that hesitancy in giving answers is one of the tests for dementia - in future I intend to blurt out the answer quickly and let the person asking questions worry about how to input it!

Sorry to hear about your mum. Pontificate is alovely word.

Thank you for the info, I will be more prepared next time. I had no idea I was going to be tested for dementia and was so shocked it took a bit of time to answer the questions. Maybe that's why I still haven't got my licence back after 5 and a half months, though they haven't said I should have more tests. I banged my face quite badly in 2011 so I expect that triggered this.

Maybe I should tell them I recently learned Ozymandias off by heart, followed by Dover Beach!

The standard address one is asked to remember in these tests is 42 West Street.
My mother, then aged 90, was asked to remember 52 West street.
She told the consultant that he'd got it wrong!

Haha, rossim, good for your Mum! That's the address I was given. Mr John Smith, 42 West St, Kensington.

Tyke I read an article written by a physician expounding the overlooked benefits of dementia - that the sufferers are often free of day to day cares, and are frequently immune to the anxieties of morbidity.

My Dad who was 85 and compos mentis when he died went through existential horror on his deathbed and to this day I'm saddened that he went out of this world in such terror and fear.

Hope your Mum is OK.

M

Rosalind, Rossim (nice to hear from you!) & Kt17

Thanks for your kind words - I suppose we never expect dementia to affect our loved ones - I think you`re right Kt17 that any anxiety they feel soon passes.

The next time someone gives me the dementia test I`ll ask them which calendar they are referring to - see how they like it!

@Tyke by any chance did you catch this? Just now on Radio 4, rather a lovely listen.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000fwbx

Thanks Kt17

Just listened to the programme - very interesting!, there`s obviously a lot about the brain we don`t understand. In Mum`s case, since moving into the care home 4 months ago she`s actually improved physically - I think we`re lucky to have found her somewhere comfortable with staff who genuinely care for people. When she left hospital we were told she only had a week to live. Mentally she comes and goes - her face lights up when we visit but 5 minutes later she might fall asleep!

Tyke

Very sorry to hear about your mum.

Wigan have started to win, for no apparent reason.

@Tyke This might also interest you, if you haven't already - it may contain a neurological explanation of the phenomenon of those on their deathbeds who experience 'seeing' a tunnel of light.

https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/episodes/91680-after-life

M