What are the signs that my mom's Alzheimer's is getting worse?!
Question: What are the signs that my mom's Alzheimer's is getting worse!?
She rarely calls me by my right name and spends no time sleeping!. Even the sleeping pills her doctor perscribles does not work!. Is this normal for those that suffer from this condition!? She will wander off at nite if I am not up with her!. She imagines she hears things that are not being said!. She accuses everyone of everything you can imagine!. What else should I expect as her disease progresses!? Has anyone out there had any experience with their parents going through this!? I feel like I do not even know this person!. Is this normal!? Or am I over reacting!? The person I knew was brilliant and lovely!. She has had a major change of personality!. How can I better understand and care for her!? Thank you all!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Signs of Alzheimers began showing early in my mother--the summer of 1987--she was only 62 but I knew something was very not right!.
Everything you mentioned sounds so familiar especially the accusations: neighbor's grill she thought was one that had been stolen years before from her patio; people using her car (didn't happen but she'd see a car pass somewhat like hers and later call police with reports of neighbors sneaking using her car); she even started accusing me and my siblings of strange things--taking little things from the house that she'd mislain or never owned!.
I was fortunate that my daughter and grandchildren returned to live with me after her divorce!. They were a great help with my mother as her disease progressed!. We wanted to keep her at home as long as possible!. We did until after she had a heart attack and needed more medical care than I could give her at home!. The sleeplessness sounds normal because most older people require less sleep than they once did--even I have began experiencing that these past few years!.
Living with a "stranger" is exactly how it "feels" but just keep in mind all the time that she doesn't mean a lot of what she may say or do!. You might notice sometimes that she may seem a bit frightened or confused after "incidents!." I really believe they hear what we hear and get a bit dismayed wondering WHO IS THAT COMING FROM!.!.!. So sad!.
The wandering can be problematic at first but dangerous as the disease progresses!. Especially if she has other medical problems!. You may have to make sure that neighbors are very aware of her condition and its progress!. Neighbors were a great help to me!. My mom would slip out the front or back door when I'd go to the restroom or bath!. Thoughtful neighbors would keep a look out and bring her back to the house or entertain her with coffee or sitting in the yard until they'd see me appear at the door!. After a few incidents, I rearranged my schedule for bathing so that someone would be available!. Moma stayed with me for six years at home but as her physical health declined, I had to make decisions for what was best for her care rather than what I "wanted!." It was extremely difficult but I there was a very good nursing home within blocks from my house and my baby brother's and one of my aunts!. I was able to go daily to comb her hair and have morning coffee with her for years--until she no longer realized I was there!. It takes a lot of planning to prepare for "putting" our loved ones someplace that is not home!. It's hard to visit and 10 times harder to leave but you know in your heart that it's the best!. When you begin to look for a facility be realistic about how far from home it is, the price and will she have good care!. Also VERY IMPORTANT since your mother is a "wanderer" you need to know that the facility is qualified to care for Alzheimers patients--some are not!.
It's a treacherous disease that robs not only the patient but family and friends!. It's exhausting at times but still there are times when they are lucid and laughing and enjoying life the way they did before!. It's those times that you dread the thought of long-term care facilities!. Unfortunately, unless you have an extensive network of support and ready help who is willing to come to your home to help, you must look at what is most beneficial to all in the long run!. Suggest that IF your mother still has cognitive abilities to talk with her about her wishes for the future!. If that time has passed, then have a couple of family meetings--especially if you have siblings or she does who want to be involved in decision making!. Mostly remember not to carry all on yourself unless you absolutely must with no alternative or available help in making decisions!.
You have my e-mail!. If you want to go further or ever need to just "talk" get in touch with me through e-mail or Yahoo messenger!. Been there and know it's never easy!.
Hugs and God bless you and your family!.
[edit]
Note on Aricept--it is a very good medication and can help retard the progression if begun in early or moderate stage!. It does have side affects but is worth the time it gives you and your loved one!. Check into it!. It had just been approved when my mother began taking it!. Then they had a good support team from the pharmaceutical company who checked with me regularly about side effects and behavioral changes!. Not sure if they still have such a team but you can check!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Everything you mentioned sounds so familiar especially the accusations: neighbor's grill she thought was one that had been stolen years before from her patio; people using her car (didn't happen but she'd see a car pass somewhat like hers and later call police with reports of neighbors sneaking using her car); she even started accusing me and my siblings of strange things--taking little things from the house that she'd mislain or never owned!.
I was fortunate that my daughter and grandchildren returned to live with me after her divorce!. They were a great help with my mother as her disease progressed!. We wanted to keep her at home as long as possible!. We did until after she had a heart attack and needed more medical care than I could give her at home!. The sleeplessness sounds normal because most older people require less sleep than they once did--even I have began experiencing that these past few years!.
Living with a "stranger" is exactly how it "feels" but just keep in mind all the time that she doesn't mean a lot of what she may say or do!. You might notice sometimes that she may seem a bit frightened or confused after "incidents!." I really believe they hear what we hear and get a bit dismayed wondering WHO IS THAT COMING FROM!.!.!. So sad!.
The wandering can be problematic at first but dangerous as the disease progresses!. Especially if she has other medical problems!. You may have to make sure that neighbors are very aware of her condition and its progress!. Neighbors were a great help to me!. My mom would slip out the front or back door when I'd go to the restroom or bath!. Thoughtful neighbors would keep a look out and bring her back to the house or entertain her with coffee or sitting in the yard until they'd see me appear at the door!. After a few incidents, I rearranged my schedule for bathing so that someone would be available!. Moma stayed with me for six years at home but as her physical health declined, I had to make decisions for what was best for her care rather than what I "wanted!." It was extremely difficult but I there was a very good nursing home within blocks from my house and my baby brother's and one of my aunts!. I was able to go daily to comb her hair and have morning coffee with her for years--until she no longer realized I was there!. It takes a lot of planning to prepare for "putting" our loved ones someplace that is not home!. It's hard to visit and 10 times harder to leave but you know in your heart that it's the best!. When you begin to look for a facility be realistic about how far from home it is, the price and will she have good care!. Also VERY IMPORTANT since your mother is a "wanderer" you need to know that the facility is qualified to care for Alzheimers patients--some are not!.
It's a treacherous disease that robs not only the patient but family and friends!. It's exhausting at times but still there are times when they are lucid and laughing and enjoying life the way they did before!. It's those times that you dread the thought of long-term care facilities!. Unfortunately, unless you have an extensive network of support and ready help who is willing to come to your home to help, you must look at what is most beneficial to all in the long run!. Suggest that IF your mother still has cognitive abilities to talk with her about her wishes for the future!. If that time has passed, then have a couple of family meetings--especially if you have siblings or she does who want to be involved in decision making!. Mostly remember not to carry all on yourself unless you absolutely must with no alternative or available help in making decisions!.
You have my e-mail!. If you want to go further or ever need to just "talk" get in touch with me through e-mail or Yahoo messenger!. Been there and know it's never easy!.
Hugs and God bless you and your family!.
[edit]
Note on Aricept--it is a very good medication and can help retard the progression if begun in early or moderate stage!. It does have side affects but is worth the time it gives you and your loved one!. Check into it!. It had just been approved when my mother began taking it!. Then they had a good support team from the pharmaceutical company who checked with me regularly about side effects and behavioral changes!. Not sure if they still have such a team but you can check!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You are GREAT for caring for her!. I cared for my Mother, and it was difficult, but I loved her for who she was!.
There is a drug called Aricept which can help!.
Also get yourself a good book on the subject, and join a carers group, in person and online!. You'll get lots of support from people who know what you're going through!.
(((Marie)))Www@Answer-Health@Com
There is a drug called Aricept which can help!.
Also get yourself a good book on the subject, and join a carers group, in person and online!. You'll get lots of support from people who know what you're going through!.
(((Marie)))Www@Answer-Health@Com
So sorry to see this happening to you and you mom!. You are so sweet to everyone! I wish you and your mom the best! Keep trusting in God! You will be fine! Be blessed, sweet lady!
(((((((((((((Marie)))))))))))))))))Www@Answer-Health@Com
(((((((((((((Marie)))))))))))))))))Www@Answer-Health@Com
My Grandma has Alzheimer's disease and she stayed at home with her husband for a while but she began to get sick as well and could not figure out why,Well it ended up that in the middle of the night she would could up and eat what ever she founds looked good to her,She is a diabetic so that's what was making her sick!.She has been in a care facility for 2 years now and is doing well!.She will remember who you are from time to time!.But she has alot to remember,She had 16 Biological kids and 4 step children!. People with this kind of disease can Not be left alone,They could get lost or burn down the house or take the car for a drive and kill someone!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Personality change and trouble sleeping are often signs of fairly advanced alzheimers!. Things will probaly not get any better!. Most alzheimers sufferers will begin to fiddle with things in their hands constantly and in rather advanced stages will begin to mumble words and make almost babbling conversation!. If she is having trouble sleeping and having personality changes she probaly already has begun to forget what she has said in conversations and repeat herself often!. If she is on the drug "agitate" (I forget the real name for the drug but it is often in patch form) what I would watch for are increased violent tendencies such as hitting, biting, and refusal to do things such as bath, change clothes, and even eat!. That particular drug is supposed to stimulate the brain and keep the patient active, but in later stages all it seems to do is make the patient irritable!. She might also begin to lose control of her bladder and have accidents!. Sooner or later, and hopefully later, you will probaly need to look into putting her into a good nursing home!. If you already haven't it might be wise to begin looking now and have a plan for when the time comes that you can no longer take care of her yourself!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Just realize that you will not be able to continue to have a relationship with your mother as she is no longer capable of that!. As you are taking care of her remember the person that she used to be and know that you are still caring for the same person!. My grandmother has had Alzheimers for several years now and she has behaved in every way that you've mentioned!. Things you should be in tune to are her health habits!. They will eat rotten food thinking that it's fresh, take meds again thinking that they haven't taken them, or not eat for days thinking that they're full!. I still love my grandmother deeply and I cherish the memories that I have with her but I know that our "relationship" no longer exists!. I am sorry for you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I'm sorry to hear that you and your mom are going through this tough time!. My father-in-law is suffering all the same signs of dementia and has been diagnosed with Alzheimers!. There are some excellent resources to be found on the net in regard to getting support and/or detection of Alzheimers!. I hope these might prove themselves useful to you!.
http://www!.alz!.org/alzheimers_disease_wh!.!.!.
http://www!.medicinenet!.com/alzheimers_di!.!.!.
http://www!.ninds!.nih!.gov/disorders/alzhe!.!.!.
My best wishes to you both!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
http://www!.alz!.org/alzheimers_disease_wh!.!.!.
http://www!.medicinenet!.com/alzheimers_di!.!.!.
http://www!.ninds!.nih!.gov/disorders/alzhe!.!.!.
My best wishes to you both!.Www@Answer-Health@Com