Moderate Dementia in Alzheimer's Disease

My dad is making good progress with social services and the mental health team from the hospital. It's making things all the more real and it's making me feel rather worried about how the next few months and years will pan out.

In the past month they've had visits from the hospital's mental health team and social services, to review their current condition and arrangements and plans for the next steps.

We were at their place when a copy of a letter arrived from the hospital. It outlined the following:

1. That mum's diagnoses is "Moderate Dementia in Alzheimer's disease with late onset". I'm not entirely sure what the late onset means but it's encouraging to learn it's only moderate. Then again, I know it's not going to get any better.
2. She is in good spirits but seems distracted, was unable to follow the conversation and doesn't understand her illness. Although, she does mention often to me that she forgets things, so she is at least aware of that.
3. That she needs constant supervision and help with activities of daily living. That much I know already, and puts into perspective how much dad has to cope with.

The plan from here on involves:

They need a care package
This will be a massive help to my father who needs rest and time to himself. It must be terribly difficult for him to cope nowadays, and I really feel it when I hear his tone of voice when we chat sometimes.

They will be considered for referral to a day centre
Again, this will help out dad - but I'm really concerned about the reaction my mum has to being in a strange place with strange people. She's certainly welcome being able to speak to other people and will make friends. I'd be concerned too about how she is looked after.

To continue taking Memantine.
I didn't know what she was prescribed, but this is something I can look in to now.

Arrange a carer assessment for dad
This is good. I do believe dad receives an allowance to help with taxi costs and other bits and pieces. I don't know really know what would happen at a carer's assessment, so I should try to be at the next one.

I regret not being there to understand what medication mum is taking etc but this letter has been such an eye opener for me. I really hope this means we can make good progress in giving them the help they need - and I want to be there at every step to understand what the plan is.