I totally understand that my brother is POA, my mother is in a nursing care facility for Alzhiemers from what I have been told second hand.
I have been estranged from my brother for over 30 years and he relishes the fact that he has the power to be "GOD" so, to speak with my health.
I just only want to know, what my mother has --and only if-- it is something I should be tested for that may effect my future health.
I do not have any children and I want my friends to know signs to look for if I start getting what my mom has.
I think it is a legimate concern
I have gone through the social worker and she asked my brother on my behalf.
I am not rattling cages and do not have an intention of doing so.
Mending fences, though I know you both mean well, really is not appropriate advice to give to anyone when you have no idea why people are estranged.
Like, I said I am sure you mean well.
I haven't been in contact in 30 years, because I suffered verbal & physical abuse from him growing up and when I was able to leave to go to college at 18, I never looked back.
The only contact I have been able to have with my mom is away from the house that she lived in with my brother. Now, that she is in nursing care, I can visit all I want and do.
He takes down all the family photos I put up and bad mouths me to staff.
Yes, I could rattle cages but, there is not reason to lower myself to that.
I suspect as well that any genetic testing would be astronomically prohibitive.
This is a good and very thorough article on genetic testing for Alzheimer's. It does indicate that testing may very well be an out-of-pocket cost.
http://www.alzforum.org/early-onset-familial-ad/diagnosisgenetics/genetic-testing-and-counseling-early-onset-familial
Your mother have some other kind of dementia.
Has your brother refused to provide this information to you? Perhaps it's time to mend the 30 year old broken fence.