Alzheimer's question...?

Question:

I know someone who may have Alzheimers. She's in her early 60s. She forgets simple tasks that she's been doing for years. She's easily agitated and overreacts to any type of stress. I don't mean an occasional brain f()rt or a bad day. I mean crying at work because she couldn't fill out a simple requisition form even though she's filled out many of them over the years. This has been getting increasingly worse for the last few years. She's going to lose her job because she can't do her job anymore.

This woman is the sole care giver for her nearly 90 year old mother. I don't think she's capable of caring for her mother any more. Without a job I don't know what's going to happen to them. They have no other relatives. Is there a way I could anonymously report her to DHS or something so that someone with authority will look at the situation? I hate to think of two helpless old ladies but I'm not a relative and have no standing in this matter.

Answers:
HI- I work with Alzheimer's daily- Unfortunately, in this 60 year old's case, she is going through ALOT- Losing her job due to her inablity to do which was once "simple tasks", for example-This is tragic, at best. Rather than reporting her to DHS, I would suggest that you voice ur concerns to a Public Health Agency in ur local area. They could check on the 2 ladies you are speaking of. If this lady is not on Title 19, I don't think they will get on the "ball" re: this situation. I commend you for ur concern. Is there anyway you could go and make a "visit" urself and see what the living conditions are like currently? The crying this lady is going through is more than likely due to realizing she is losing a part of herself, and @ an unusually young age. Numbers (identifying and working with them) are a first sign of Alzheimers. Has she gone to the Dr. re: this matter? Perhaps they could intervene in re: to this situation. Would you or someone else be willing to go to the Dr. with her and see what the Physician says? You could also write down ur concerns on a piece of paper if you go to the Dr. with her. Of course, you can report her to DHS anonymously, BUT, There are other steps to take before doing this. I hope this helped you out. Example- The 90 year old may need to go to the Nursing Home. Again, maybe the "familiar" surroundings @ home are not as bad as the "work load" @ her place of employment. These are just a few suggestions, and unfortunately, this happens more than people realize. Good Luck and Take care- Thanks for being a concerned person

Go to a social welfare agency, and ask them to intervene. Your intentions are commendable.

That's really tough. I think before you call a 3d party you should talk to her yourself, in a very loving and non-threatening way, ask if there's anything you can do to help her. She might just be so stressed she's losing her mind from it, or she might have a problem herself. A doctor can tell with a series of cognitive tests.
Maybe say you have some extra food you'd like to bring over and then take a look at how she and her mom are living. If they aren't coping, you'll know.
Is there a kindly social worker or human resources person at work that you can ask for help? I know you don't want this poor woman to lose her job, but there might be services in place at work to help her--she might just need some time off or something.
Anyway, your heart is in the right place--so many would just look away from this woman's pain or mock her. I hope it turns out okay.

Alzheimer's question...?

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