Expert: Paula Damgaard - 5/15/2007

Question
My father in law has this disease.It runs in his side of the family.He has is getting alot worse.My mother in law and him are now alsways fighting.She takes him to the doctor who just checks hima and sends him back home.He is doing things he should not be doing like leaving the house for three hours and drinking .He still is driving.He also runs around naked and also calls are house and asks to stay here.Its to the point that I dont want to talk to anyone over there.See there is not a whole lot I can do.I have two 6 yr old girls and a teenager and my husband works all day.he also runs around hitting on women .He tells them how bad my mother in law is to him.She does call an alzhemers place but they cant help much either.Any Ideas. She is crying all the time.This is stuff he has never done.I also notice he walks around preaching alot too he is doing everything for his new christianity and so one .He also calls my mother in law saten.Do you have any ideas.

Answer
Nadine, I think you need a new doctor.  I think that what he has is a Frontaltemporal Dementia rather than Alzheimer's disease.  Not that this makes it any better, but there are drugs that he could be taken to help curb these behaviors.  I don't know where you are living, but if you are anywhere near a University Hospital that is doing research I would recommend that you call them and take him there.  

You could look on line or call the local Alzheimer's Association and ask them if a place like that is near you.  Ask them if know is anyone near you is doing research.  

Good luck with that.  I hope you find some help.  It will make your life better.  

If he really gets out of hand you may need to call the police.  I would recommend that you go there ahead of time and explain the situation, so that when you call them they will know what is going on and they can take him to a psychiatric hospital where they could get him medicated and make it easier for you.  

Paula