VASCULAR DEMENTIA IN THE ELDERLY: 7 STAGES OF THE GLOBAL DETERIORATION SCALE /PART 2

This is the second of six posts based on information contained in the Global Deterioration Scale as adapted by Dr. Doug Drummond from Reisbert, B. et al from the Global Deterioration Scale.  Stage 3 is set out in italics with personal observations to follow.

Stage 3  Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
              Earliest clear-cut deficits
              Functionally normal but co-workers may be aware of declining work performance
              Objective deficits on testing.
              Denial may appear.
             
              Usual care setting:  Independent

At this phase our mother was still living independently.  We noted that she began to put all her groceries out on the counter rather than in the cabinet, and this eventually included dishes also.  This could have been due to deficits in her memory or deficits in organization.  She was finding solutions and ways to cope.

We asked about the new method for food storage, but were never given an explanation.  If we put all the items away, they would be back out the next time, so we stopped "helping" in that way. 

She stopped drinking coffee, which she had always loved, because she couldn't operate the coffeemaker.  Denial definitely kicked in at this phase.  She insisted that she didn't like coffee any more, but always drank it when offered if we prepared it. 

She could still operate the microwave at this phase, but lost that ability in the next few years.

While we all felt bad that she couldn't enjoy the simple pleasures like coffee anymore just because she couldn't operate the coffeemaker, we always weighed these things against  her fierce need for independence.  Independence always won, maybe too many times, but we kept watching her balancing on the tightrope, hoping she'd never fall, but praying that our safety net would catch her if she did.

She became unable to arrange for minor or major repairs, so those duties were handled by various of her children. 

And she stopped teaching her Sunday School class, which she had done for about 20 years.  We were not given a reason even when we pressed her.  It was "just time", she said.  She continued attending church and driving during this phase.  That too, would stop in time, but for now, she was able to, and did faithfully.

DEMENTIA HINT:  Observe what is changing, assist with what you can, and help the person with dementia to cope in the ways they have adapted in their environment unless it is unsafe or a health hazard.

Installed