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 also found her anti-cholesterol medication was one of the "statin" family of drugs that can cause memory problems and confusion - they took her off of that, too. That change may have helped - she has more lucid intervals now.
Some times, though, she's gone somewhere decades in the past, visiting people long dead or going somewhere she went in her twenties.
One of her doctors recommended a book called "The 36-Hour Day", you might want to give that a look.
How old is your mom? Could be meds....could be a UTI. Could you give us more specifics on what she is experiencing?
Blessings upon you and your family as ya’ll confront this horrible disease in a loved one.
I grew up being called “Frances Lynn” or just “Lynn”. A few years ago, Mama began referring to me only as “Frances”. Now she calls me “Sweetheart”. NOT COMPLAINING. ;)
Mama has ALWAYS enjoyed desserts - especially anything with chocolate! She never weighed more than 125 pounds. Thinking she might be 90 pounds if that now.
After a 1 month hospital stay he has psychological issues including confusion, insomnia, delusions and hallucinations.
Doctors and nurses said Alzheimer's or dementia.
Through our own research we discovered that he had Hospital Delerium and got him back with no help from the medical pros.
Other things that have caused those symptoms for him the last few years are medications, pain, lack of sleep, urinary tract infections, dehydration.
Don't take the medical professionals word for anything.
Do your own research, challenge them, ask questions, demand answers.
Appreciate your input!
Mama is 81 and has lost weight from about 125 to maybe 90 pounds at most. I think she needs to eat whatever she wants at this point. ;)
Thank you! Due to her history of frequent UTIs, I will follow through with your suggestion.
Thank you! And yes, Mama has had numerous UTIs in the last year or so and has been hospitalized due to dehydration.
Wishing either I were there or she were here.
Dehydration makes everything much worse.
Ask anyone who has had a parent or friend in hospice. That's the first thing they do. Stop water, stop hydration. Speeds up the end very quickly.
OMG(osh). Your comment is EXACTLY the topic of conversation I had just today with two of my friends who have experienced a similar situation. Coupled with the medications that just do not seem right to me - too many that treat “OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety/panic disorders.”
And the thoughts that re-run through my brain are of my BIL telling me, “Watch what happens when I back her in a corner and tell her the way things are.” That happened 2-1/2 years ago. If she continues to be treated that way, no wonder she has anxiety/panic disorders, and depression.
One of my friends (very dear and since 7th-grade) suggested that sometimes the care is to make one’s end life comfortable but that there are times when the unspoken is to make one’s end quick.
IDK. I am mourning the loss of my mother even though her body and partial mind remains with us. :(
Thank you!
I do research, challenge, ask questions, and demand answers. I initially attempt the approach with honey... However, if/when I do not receive satisfaction, somewhere along the way, in my husband’s words, “You tend to burn bridges before you even get there.”
I’m still learning! Even at 58. ;)
Thank you for sharing!
Mama’s always been told she had “high cholesterol.” However, when you figure the ratio of good to bad, her numbers were fine, which is why she no longer takes that sh*t.
Appreciate the book recommendation. I’ll check it out.
Consider upgrading your calls to video calls.
Perhaps to a tablet.
FaceTime or Google Hangouts are good for that.
With a WiFi video intercom device like a “Nucleus”, you can even check in on her remotely and initiate the call yourself without her having to do anything.
Also, set her location reporting on her devices so you can track them/her.
I was blessed that my Dad and I were able to care for my Mom at home until the end.
Prayers for you and your mom.
Mama will be staying at home - due to her wise financial investments, which provide for 24/7 in-home care.
Although I can make video calls, my sister and I agreed to discontinue Mama’s cell phone several years. An extra expense that Mama did not recall how to use... :( About the same time she quit using the computer.
OMG(osh). The last few months have been devastating as I have observed Mama’s decline, seemingly exponentially.
As I initially posted:
I suppose this is how dementia/Alzheimer’s disease progresses...
Perhaps I am wishing for what cannot be...
I am MOST grateful for the comments, support, and suggestions each of you FReepers took time out of your day to share with me.
Much love to all of our FReeper Family.
~ lyby
This can be set up in such a way that she doesn’t have to do anything with it for you to call. Just you and whoever you give the code to.
It needs decent WiFi, or Ethernet, though.
Please tell my dear friend from Massanetta and Narz that I have very fond memories of the times we were blessed to share with one another.
Prayers for you all.
Thank you so much!! Way back in the middle of nowhere, down a dirt road in the country/mountains of Virginia, there is no reliable WiFi or available ethernet. Cable t.v. has not made it there ‘cept for folks got those satellite dishes. (Once upon a time, about 10 years ago, Mama did have dial-up AOL.)
Dayum. I grew up in the boonies/country/on a farm - and such a simpler time. A time when family took care of their own instead of hiring caregivers or putting their family members in “a home.”
I am sad. Got to regroup.
Thank all ya’ll for your positive and uplifting support.
Love and ((hugs))
~ lyby
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