I have been diagnosed with dementia syndrome and depression. I am 59 years old, recently fired from a 10-year healthcare job due to poor performance. (I was on overload).

So sorry about all the problems you are having!
Just a few questions I don't understand. I don't think you can get unemployment if you were fired, but if you were layed off you could. For disability, you need plenty of records from your job why you couldn't do your job and a very very good doctor stating that you are disabled and can't do any type of work, that is what I had to do. I was turned down the first time, then had to get a lawyer, and finally got my disability, but took me 2 years, not saying it could take you! I believe it all depends on how many years you have put into SS to file??? Also, you say you have dementia syndrome, if it is an SYNDROME, SS won't cover it, I believe?? You just might need to speak to a SS lawyer to answer most of these questions, which you might be able to do for a 30 minute free consultation?

As for the claim, I didn't understand? Who's fault was it that you fell? Was the restaurant at fault or yours? Do you have a witness? Did you fall before you lost your job? Is this claim for a law suit or SS? It may not be a good idea for the lawsuit (You will need a lawyer and it could take years), but, any way, instead try spending your time trying to start your SS disability instead! It will take a very long time to get all your medical records from all your doctors and all the hospital visits, x-rays, MRI's, any physical therapy and a very good psychologist! I hope you let your doctors all know what is going on, so they kept records on you for the last couple of years! This has been going on for long time, right? Then, when all is done, with all the many many documentations have been collected you go before a judge who will decide under oath.

Also try to go to the library or look up on SS disability, all for free info.

I am not a lawyer, so I can't give any adive except good luck and God be with you!

I am a 61 year old divorced grandfather of 4 and I experienced a "fall" last year and after some tests at the nearby medical center my diagnosis is dementia. During the next 12 months I was put on some meds and have now stopped taking them because of the side effects. At this time (Dec 30, 2010) I am thankful I am still in my home on food stamps... living somewhat independently, however, both my daughters are having to pay for my utilities. I believe having this dialogue is helpful to me to feel like I'm not alone and isolated. James in Austin, Tx

Thanks for everyone's input. I didn't know that placing the term "Syndrome" after "dementia" would keep me from having a lesser chance of getting disability. James, I'm glad you were able to stop taking the medications. And as far as trying to get unemployment benefits, I am hoping to apply and have some help in receiving them. The head nurse who asked me to give a letter of resignation only told me that if anyone called to inquire about my position then she would give good feedback, but if I terminated my job, then she stated that she could tell anything that had happened during my 10 years of working. I now know that that is not legal - the most that can be said is that I have worked in that position for a certain amount of time. I had a friend as my advocate, so she was my witness. Also, there was absolutely no mention of receiving unemployment. I had no idea that I could even receive unemployment if I was terminated.

As far as the fall, the restaurant definitely was to blame. They had placed a huge bolder right next to a table - my partner was sitting on the other side of the table- I was walking to get next to him and did not look down. I first hit my shin hard, then hit my left side of my head on the wall, then straight ahead into the wall, causing a cut on my forehead. The sensation was like a twisting whiplash. They gave me ice and I went to the emergency room, with no imaging (my choice). I am still being treated for the whiplash with my chiropractor and massage. If anyone else knows more about disability with dementia, I would appreciate your story. Carol in Oregon.

Carol, did you resign? I don't know if that means you can get unemployment either. Was the boulder part of the decorations of the restaurant and that caused your fall? Bad urban design...they design around the young not thinking of older folks at all!

Hi again, Carol!
This is me again, Carolyn from Colorado! Glad to hear back from you!

I, too, had a whiplash, from a car accident, a very long story! Anyway I did have a law suit, and won, but only after I had found out what was causing my very severe pain! After many Doctors, 11 to be exact, many 6 MRI's, X-rays, Physical therapy for a very long time etccccc, I finally found out I had a jaw problem from the whip lash!! (TMJ) Had a special dentist a Maxifalliona (misspelled) perform surgery, my jaw disc was pushed out when the whiplash had happened and the jaw bone was scraping my skull, causing pain! I had metal plates with 4 screws on each side of my jaw, drilled into the skull. I can't get my mouth open to eat well, so 5 years later I had to have more jaw surgery done, and still can't open my mouth wide!!

I, too, had worked at a hospital as a Phlebotomist for 10 years! I had to keep working for five years after this car accident, because I was not legible for any SS disabilities or if I quit, no unemployment benefits either: according what my 2 lawyers had told me! I had tried! I studied up any everything! My job was killing me, being on my feet all day! My mental statis was extremely bad, with memory loss and severe headaches before the accident and after surgery, with pain all over my whole body!! My co-workers had treated me badly. I had to go on part time to work, and I still called in sick alot!!

Then I found out I had Fibromalgia Syndrome!! FMS! Look it up and TMJ
I was put on so many pills and it still didn't work too much! All my doctors' s said it is a Syndrome and it will not get me disability! So, with all my pain, brain fogs, memory loss, etccc I had to keep working and cry in silence! The only good thing about working was I had great insurance working in the hospital, so very very very very cheap!! I had every test done and many more times done over and over! I had changed doctors more than I can count!

After so many years of all the abuse and pain, I walked out, crying because my supervisor said I was not doing my job. Again, for the 4th time I checked into disability and unemployment with another lawyer and was told if I quit my job, no benefits and still no for SS.

I was on Cobra, but it ran out after only a 1 1/2 years. I did get married to my love one of many years and we had great insurance! I did see another doctor, an neurologist and on my new X-rays and more MRI's, I was finally diagnosed with a spine disease ( Degenerative Disc disease in my neck and lower spine), that didn't show up until many years later, which is how i got my SS disability! I am now 61, been 11 years now since I got my SS, still in a lot of pain and still see my 5 doctor's! I had my accident way back in 1992 and lived with pain ever since!

So long story, so sorry about that! What I am telling you, get your MRI's NOW, before Cobra runs out, see specialists, get your medical records, get xrays, see as many Dr's as you can NOW! Get a disability lawyer for free until your settlement of SS. You don't have much time when your Cobra will runs out???
Start looking up info on line, NOW!!! Find out what is causing your pain and brain fogs! You need a straight forward diagnosis from a doctor on paper, stating disabilty!! Get going and look up ever thing you can please!!!

Please, please start NOW!!!
God bless,
Carolyn

HI. You can get copies of your medical records and XRAYS FREE if you have them sent to a doctor. Then get him/her to give you complete copies of those records. I went through needing records a year ago and paid for a few, but then found that when I had them sent to a dr. or hospital it was FREE. If you send out for them right away, it should not take long before you get them all. Good Luck! AgingSenior75

Yes you CAN get unemployment benefits if you were fired. Your previous employer might fight the claim, but press on. You will eventually get the benefits you paid in to.
It sounds as if things can't get any worse, they can only get BETTER now. Keep a positive attitude and keep yourself very, very busy with volunteer work, crafts, etc. An idle mind is the devil's workshop. Keep that mind stimulated, with things such as reading and exercise. Exercise releases much needed endorphins from the brain.

Thanks for your advice. After trying to get a job for the last 6 months I came to the conclusion before Christmas that I would benefit greatly from volunteering my time...hopefully I'll be more involved this month with the Town Lake Animal Shelter or another organization in Central Austin. Happy Holidays...to you. Spent the last few days cleaning my home to create a positive change (started with the wood floors in every room)...got rid of some unnecessary "stuff"....feeling more positive already. Thanks for your response. James in Central Austin

It worries me when people fairly young (50- 65) are diagnosed with dementia. How can doctors unequivocally say that a person has dementia, when it could be as simple as a vitamin B12 deficiency? I've heard of people diagnosed with M.S. that really have Lymes disease. Are there tests that show absolutely?

Yes, you can file for unemployment benefits, even online, in most states. A telephone interview with your previous employer, yourself and the State Unemployment representative will follow. At that time, you should be prepared to state your case for receiving benefits. Make notes, with times and dates, etc....and relay the incident with your employer at the time of your termination. The State Unemployment division will issue a decision concerning your rights and your employer's rights for any determination and appeal, if needed.

Hi again Carol!
Here is MORE info to look up that should help you!! But you really need to see a few specialits doctor's and test This web site that we are on has alot of info, which is where I got it from!! I am really trying very hard to get you help, because I care! My mother-law does have dementia and I do know alot about it!!

If you really have dementia and not dementia syndrome, the doctors just may take away your driving, due to memory loss and brain damage, plus it gets worse when your brain is destroyed! The judge just may appoint a guardianship to handle all your bills, checkbook and financial affairs. Have your will and power of attorney, because down the road you will forget! If you need to go to a nursing home, the state may take all your access, or you may go on Medicaid??? I don't know, so you need a real diagnoses and get better?

My hubby and I have been dealing with the last stages of dementia with my mother-law for many years now, so we learned the hard way. She is now in a nursing home and lost her home to the state. She had to give up her driving at age 65. so very hard on us!

https://www.agingcare.com/139753

https://www.agingcare.com/139753

Hi I am really sorry this is happening to you... I was wrongfully dismissed from a position I had held for 13 yrs. I was able to collect unemployment for a short time while I found something else. I would encourage you to find a position that you can feel comfortable with...What caused you to fall? I am sure that the resturant has liablitity... take care...

I walked out on my job of ten years as a clerk on a med/surg unit at a hospital. Doing the work of 3 people for ten years, and the extreme over-stimulation of answering 400 call lights a day, and nonstop telephones, and constant interruptions by every person that walked by my desk, my nerves were shot, and my mental & physical health was in jeopardy. I pretty much just snapped, I didn't plan the walkout, I just snapped and ran for my life. I challenged the unemployment denial, and won. It's taken me a year to get my old self back. I now cannot handle any kind of job with ringing phones, or chaotic atmosphere w/o having panic/ high blood pressure attacks. Found a nice little job cutting lettuce for the salad bar at a health food store.
The law that was cited at my hearing, was "there was a change in the work load/job description that was unfavorable to the employee". (we had increased the floor census, and had become a telemetry unit, which increased patient flow)

good for you I can relate to the shot nerves I was on prescription meds for nerves and chronic diarrhea!!! take care and as the kids would say... hang in there!!!

i would go for any thing they offer you if this is the case get all the help you need don't let it go to far

ssp1663,
I can definitely understand how you felt in walking out in the midst of what appeared to be chaos. It seems that hospitals stretch their employees to the breaking point. I could feel my insides getting tighter and tighter as I was required to do more and learn more technology. I loved the patients, but as a respiratory therapist I found myself having to be at every birth, do outpatient testing such as heart monitoring and EKGs, running to the ER for codes and breathing treatments. What a lot of juggling. I would try to find someone to help out, but my department was only the manager and two other therapists on most days, and sometimes only two of us. I hope that my stress and feeling overwhelmed so much is due to stress and depression, rather than the diagnosis of Alzheimers. I will be seeing a counselor this week who will help my partner and myself. Thanks, everyone!

Also: didn't mean to make your situation "all about me": I was mainly wanting to point out that there are ways to still get unemployment even if you get fired or walk out. I wasn't even going to fight for it, until a friend told me that I should. I was surprised that they reversed the decision in my favor. I have another friend that was fired, and challenged the denial: and at her appeal, nobody from the hospital showed up, so she was automatically awarded benefits. Good luck with your situation, I'm sorry you have to go through all this. Never, ever give up!!
P.S.--Celexa helped me tremendously--Don't rule out medication out of fear--you can always stop taking them if they aren't helping.

Celexa didn't help me so I quit taking it after three months and feel fine at the present time, but still waiting for my social security disability.

Silverpop and ssp1663, thanks for the feedback regarding Celexa. I am soon scheduled to go back to my primary care doctor - I probably should try the drug.