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Autistic and old

TheCatWoman

I'm wondering what it will be like for autistic people as we age and maybe need residential care, will there be any provision for us? Will the cognitive tests for dementia be modified to accomodate us? I could well see a situation where I'm asked to do something and can't do it because I've never been able to do it and its not a sign of cognitive degeneration.

How will care homes cope with us? Will we be force fed ABBA or The Beatles because thats what some well meaning NT decides was popular in our youth? What if we want to listen to the Sex Pistols or the Clash, or Pink Floyd? I see older people in care homes and what they're made to put up with in terms of "activities", a steady diet of soaps would make me wish to to impaired to care, will we be able to watch re-runs of Game of Thrones? What about our need for personal space? I've heard that called "self isolating" by dementia nurses, it dosent' seem to occur to them that for many of us hell is other people.

Parents

  • Good topic.  My mum now aged 95 moved into a residential home last year. The first home "couldnt handle her". It was a horrible place anyway. Residents werent allowed to stay in their rooms, because the staff needed to "keep an eye on them".  Anyway my mum was shouting at the carers. We found somewhere else for her and she is now settled. This is an EMI home, so staff are trained in dealing with "challenging" behaviour. Although i dont think wanting to stay in your room should be considered as challenging behavior. I think my mum is autistic  i told the social worker and care home manager this. It matters that they should know. 

    Im sure signs of autism with the elderly could be misunderstood as dementia,  which is worrying. Another reason why a diagnosis is so important. 

    Me, i will definatly want to stay in my room! I hope i dont live as long as my mum. 

    I have never been a fan of Abba and i dont wear christmas jumpers! 

    Hopefully, eventually, there with be residential homes for the elderly autistic, just like there is for the elderly mentally infirm. Oh but will they be managed by suitably qualified staff? Not in my life time! X

  • in reply to Tulip52

    I hope I don't need care too, I think I would end up being one of those awkward people that would be difficult to place, because I wouldn't do as I'm told. I wold probably end up being over medicated, which could be fun with the list of things I'm allergic too and that stuff like valium dosen't work on me, 60ml intravenously and I could still fight? It will not only be unpleasant for me, but for those tasked with looking after me.

    Will autism be recognised by geriatric care or will they think it magically disapears when you get to a certain age? WIll it be conflated with the various forms of dementia? If I suffer cognitive impairment will I be able to say when medications disagree with me or will I be seen as being difficult?

    I'm not tech savy and I can't see me being so if I went into a care home, I think I would just end up being isolated rather than left to enjoy my own company.

    I had a similar experience when in hospital, they wouldn't let me keep my curtains closed around my bed.

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  • in reply to Tulip52

    I hope I don't need care too, I think I would end up being one of those awkward people that would be difficult to place, because I wouldn't do as I'm told. I wold probably end up being over medicated, which could be fun with the list of things I'm allergic too and that stuff like valium dosen't work on me, 60ml intravenously and I could still fight? It will not only be unpleasant for me, but for those tasked with looking after me.

    Will autism be recognised by geriatric care or will they think it magically disapears when you get to a certain age? WIll it be conflated with the various forms of dementia? If I suffer cognitive impairment will I be able to say when medications disagree with me or will I be seen as being difficult?

    I'm not tech savy and I can't see me being so if I went into a care home, I think I would just end up being isolated rather than left to enjoy my own company.

    I had a similar experience when in hospital, they wouldn't let me keep my curtains closed around my bed.

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