Posted on 07/23/2018 1:31:36 PM PDT by lyby
I suppose this is how dementia/Alzheimer's disease progresses... Or is it the medication? Or a combination?
I appreciate your comment.
Done - and yes, they can/do.
Already did that a couple of years ago...
I know that taking lots of Lecithin seems to work to prevent and minimize Alzheimer’s, at least in my family.
Prayers up.
Hospice is usually for care when reaching the end of ones life. You do not tell us if your mom is there due to illness or anything regarding her usual state of health.
Mental changes can be slow or acute in elderly patients but, as you describe her disorientation during your last visit, I guess this is been ongoing.
Go and see her and tell her stories from the past. She will relate to these better than any recent events. Give Thanks for the time you have and you will both be better for it.
Praying for you both.
Thanks... people need good info, when dealing with these types of illness. It is like a mine field out there, with relatives, who many not have best judgment, and lawyers who would destroy the family for a $1.
Take on full duty on her medications.
The doctors will mess her up just as likely as any disease will.
GET HER OFF ANY PAIN MEDS and benzos or at least figure out the minimum she needs.
My MIL was delusional but, I saved her life.
(Sometimes I regret it)
My mother’s hospice nurses recommended leaving a light on in her bedroom when she started hallucinating; the shadows present without a light would morph into animals or people.
We also made picture books from photos taken 40 years earlier, and she enjoyed looking at them with us because she recognized everybody and every place.
I sincerely wish you and your family strength during this incredibly difficult time.
My doctor put me on Lions Mane mushroom capsules about two months ago. Seems to help with memory and brain fog.
I have no advice for you, but prayers up for your mother and for you and your family.
Missing my dear late mother, who had dementia the last few years of her life.
This is a much better one to answer.
They sleep ALL of the time! They are worse than teenagers, up all night and sleep all day.
If she is forgetting how to eat and bathe, she is getting pretty far along.
Telephone calls will be near impossible. First of all, their hearing is bad. Next is that most communication is visual. They take their cues from who they are talking to.
They also start a process where when they get confused and they start talking in what I refer to as the infinite loop—the same phrases, stories, or complaints. Over and over. That is because it is comfortable to them. If you are not exposed to this regularly, it is very disorienting.
I find that I listen to my mom and when she goes off on a tangent I just let her go. I laugh when she laughs. I nod when she is intent. It doesn’t matter. She is not going to recall it in ten minutes. What does matter is that you are there.
The thing is dementia meds is they do not stop or reverse the process. They simply make the path a little smoother.
My mom will sleepwalk, and hallucinate. I often hear about the visitors she has. (Most of them died years ago.)
I think the best advice is this: If you are not the primary care giver, be aware that you are going to disrupt the routine. I dont mean that in a bad way—but you are different and these folks need their routine. So expect anything and everything.
Also, your mom is happy to see you. She might be confused and she might not seem to care. But she does.
This disease is a disease of the personality as much as it is the body. Your mom’s brain is trying like hell to process information, but the wiring is being re-routed and it isn’t working right. She may swear more than she used to. She might not know you. She may relieve herself in the kitchen. None of this is intentional and she has no filters or sense of propriety. Seeing your mom function with just a “lizard brain” is disturbing as hell.
But, you are doing a good thing. She needs you. Keep a sense of humor. And understand the woman you are visiting IS your mom...just a bit “off.”
I certainly don’t want to give anyone false hope, but there have been studies that suggest removing sugar, starches, and grains from the diet can help slow the progression. Eating veggies that have very low carb count, and berries tomatoes, and avocados,, which are the only low carb fruits, and increasing fats, such as animal fats and olive oil. Basically, a keto diet. I am 66, and when I follow the keto diet, I feel better, and my brain seems to work better. My mother died from dementia. She had been losing memory for several years, then just went downhill and stopped eating. Spend as much time with her as you can. I have a lot of regrets that I didn’t spend enough time with my mom.
That is rare that a Dr would do that.
Good for him/her!
She is in hospice due to the progression of dementia/Alzheimer’s, frequent urinary tract infections, anemia, dehydration, difficulty swallowing, extreme weight loss. Neither my sister nor I want “to put her somewhere” other than in her own home. Mother invested wisely and has enough funds to cover the 24/7 in-home caregiver expenses for at least another five years.
That’s why I try to call her everyday! When we talk, I mention stories of situations/people she has often recalled with fond memories. I tell her about our family. And I try to have one of those “dirty jokes” she seems to enjoy! ;)
OK, I’m reading through this thread and see this... “Mother’s palliative/hospice care nurse...”
I’m gathering time is short. My prayers are with you. Make the best of what time you have left. Even if Mom sleeps through your visit, or does not even recognize or remember; go see her.
Visit. Visit often. I drove 600 miles (each way) 4 times in 6 weeks to see my Mom after she had her stroke and before she died. You won’t regret it.
Prayers......
Prayers are awesome! Thank you.
;)
I am so sorry. This is a tough thing for anyone to go through. I am in the same situation with my husband. It seems to be even harder on our children and grands, when he asks:”who are you?” Funny about the ice cream! My husband prowls all night, and in the a.m., all the cookies and ice cream are gone! You are lucky to have outside help. Count your blessings!
That was a *funny* right there. ;)
Exactly what I am trying to do: “...figure the minimum she needs.”
Thank you!
Those plaques can be partially removed by going longer without eating. Try to shoot for at least 12 hours without eating. This is more easily done overnight.
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/sleep-brain-alzheimers-plaques-protein
Seems like you and I have read the same articles/research. :)
Your best wishes are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for sharing!
Yup. We tried the so-called slow-down-dementia-progression meds. I think two different types. Both made Mother even more agitated and paranoid.
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