Posted on 07/23/2018 1:31:36 PM PDT by lyby
It’s so tough to watch the decline. I’m sorry you all are experiencing this. A family member has also been diagnosed with dementia and has been moved into an assisted living facility. What the primary care giver has observed is that she sounds completely off when she has a UTI. I’ve heard of this from other people as well. Certainly, it ties into the dehydration that someone else mentioned, but if she sounds more confused that usual, it might be helpful to get a confirmation and a round of antibiotics.
Since she is a woman, I would suggest that the first thing you do is go to a pharmacist about her list of prescriptions and OTC medications.
Next, and this is important have her checked for a UTI (bladder infection). It is amazing how much the elderly are affected by them and have mental issues because of them.
I will tell you that in my experience Alzheimer Patients HATE to bath, I don’t know why.
I would research and possibly try your suggestion. Unfortunately, I cannot oversee her diet. Although my husband and I planned to bring Mama to live with us, my BIL nixed that in a big ugly way a couple of years ago. (Something about his calling the sheriff because I had “kidnapped” my mother... BWAHAHAHA!)
Not really any help with your post but just something I came across last night/this morning because I don’t sleep well. Looking up Englbert Humperdink songs and came across a youtube channel by a son helping his father thru this. They sing! The Songaminute Man on youtube.
singing quando,quando,quando: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UQ5mjFzHTA
From a similar awareness, I understand... One of my mother’s aunts also suffered from this horrible disease. She came at her husband one night with a butcher knife, thinking he was an intruder/robber - as the family story goes. He and their daughters decided it best to put her in “a home,” as referenced back in “those days.”
My mother was also a very organized person. Although she was not necessarily the life of a party, she was kind-hearted and helpful to many from numerous walks of life.
Thank you so much for sharing! I wish the best for you and your mother.
Yes, she is a rarity.
Heartfelt appreciation for your sharing and blessings.
Hospice? So she has something else terminal? That could be a blessing. Otherwise, you are looking at a long, painful experience with no happy ending. A short painful experience is much to be preferred.
I wouldn’t sweat Alzheimer’s if she is already in Hospice.
Thank you so much for sharing about your MIL. I am beginning to realize how difficult is this disease - for everyone.
Prayers for her and you first.
Second, my neighbor’s pushing 70. Over a year ago she was taken away after being diagnosed with Alzheimers. They brought her back about 6 weeks later. Misdiagnosis. She gets help from another woman on the block but not a lot. She’s still fairly functional and knows who and what.
Get a 2nd Opinion.
Before you leapt into an alternative cure check them thoroughly. The world is infested with con artists.
Prepare yourself for a lot of online reading. Some of those alternative cures/palliatives may actually work, just make sure you Know what’s up first.
And More Prayers for her and you.
Oh. My. That’s the paranoia like exhibited by my paternal grandmother.
As of today, we continue to end our conversation with my saying, “I love you, Mama;” and her reply, “I love you, too, sweetheart.”
I am so going to miss that. :(
Thank you very much for your suggestion and, most importantly, your prayers
((tears))
I do not want to hear what you wrote. But, I realize it is true.
We usually go home twice a year. But these last 18 months, I have gone home about every 3 months.
My mother was with her mother when she died. If at all possible, that is my prayer.
That is funny but on a serious note we had relatives in various degree of Dementia. It is confounding that memories as a child, 1960 election and the birth of the first grandchild could be reflected upon yet what was for Breakfast and the name of us as relatives was forgotten.
Thank you for the prayers.
“Talking” with people who’ve walked a similar path is helpful beyond measure.
There is a HUGE difference......Dementia does NOT kill your body, only your mind...Alzheimer’s kills both....sadly.
Please stay on top of what your medications your mother is taking. My father died of Alzheimers several years ago. I would visit him in the facility he was in and for the first year or more he would recognize me, but not know my name, but we’d walk outside, I’d eat with him...a little sloppy, etc. The nurse told me he’d be “dead by now” if he hadn’t had a pacemaker for his heart that was implanted many years earlier. I didn’t see my dad for a few months and when I saw him, he was bedridden and basically vegitative. I learned under the threat of lawsuit to see his charts, that he was on heavy duty fentanyl that was administered around the clock along with seroquil, an anti psychotic drug. They finally drugged him to death. I later learned that they expected a full turnover within 12 months of all admitted patients...a killing center. Watch very carefully.
Your sharing personal experiences is greatly appreciated!
I concur with trying to keep a sense of humor, while remembering the good times and the in-the-moment of connection.
Prayers for her.
Thank you.
I spend as much time as I can with her. Unfortunately, we live over 500 miles apart. A visit home about every 3-months and attempted daily phone calls is all I got. BUT, I am trying to create love-filled memories...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.