caregiver negligence as a sign of dementia

9/24/03

Your wheel chair bound, aphasic wife sits alone in the house, watching TV, as she has done every day, since the stroke in early 2001.
But its getting dark outside, and you haven't been back to the house in many hours.
There has been no dinner for either of you.
There has been no opportunity for a trip to the bathroom for her.


One week ago, while visiting her oncologist, you became confused and were noted to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

She is worried about you.  Its 8 PM, its dark outside, and you should be back in the house by now.

She calls 911.  I can just hear her stuttering speech as she would try to reach out for help.

The paramedics find you mowing the ditch in the dark.

You can't understand why anyone would be concerned, but you return to the  house.

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15 minutes later when I call back I find out that you are on the other phone line  in the back of the house, talking to a mystery man (another one of your get rich quick associates, I am sure).

When I confront you on who you are talking to, you say "Is this an inquisition?" and you hang up on me.

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