Follow
Share

She wants to know where her furniture went? Where did the money go? Needs to call "home" to check on the dogs (from 60 years ago). My private time was after she went to bed - now she is up time and time again - "are the doors locked?" - been over a week since she showered. She sad, mean - I know it's a disease, but I cannot help myself repeating the same things over and over again. She doesn't remember eating. Paranoia is rampant. Again, no shower in over a week - and vehemently will not take a shower. I work out of my home (out of necessity, not choice) - I'm exhausted and don't know what to do next. I find myself arguing/preaching - same things over and over. I KNOW "it's the disease" ...but so much easier said than done. Exhausted. Thank you for listening.

This discussion has been closed for comment. Start a New Discussion.
Find Care & Housing
TO HELP HER SLEEP AT NIGHT, Y CAN GIVE HER MELATONIN, IT'S A SUPPLEMENT THAT MIMICS NIGHT TIME, SINCE THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT TIME. MY MOM IS 96, AND I MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS. IN THE MORNING I GIVE HER VITAMIN D, IT MIMICS THE SUN LIGHT, AND ABOUT A HALF HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME I GIVE HER THE MELATONIN. I HAVE TO WAKE HER UP IN THE MORNINGS. IT REALLY HELPS. AND NIGHT TIME IS MY TIME TO SET BACK AND BREATH. I WISH YOU WELL AND HOPE THINGS GET EASIER FOR YOU.
(0)
Report

Hugs to you, JLO2013. You are certainly right that it is easier to "know" it is the disease than to calmly accept the disease's dreadful manifestations.

Hang in there! I hope that you are able, at least, not to feel guilty for your struggles.

It would help A LOT, more than you might imagine, if you are getting out and away from caregiving regularly. Do you have any respite schedule arranged?
(1)
Report

Yes, that happened to my mother, her progression was very slow and suddenly she was wandering, not taking her pills and being very mean. It was really hard, my father hid a lot from me and I had sibling problems on top of it. It is so hard when things come too quickly or all of a sudden.
(1)
Report

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I am familiar. We went through this a few years ago with the mother-in-law. She has been evaluated and on medication for several years. Apparently it was very slow to progress and now it is very fast. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts.
(1)
Report

My mom went though this stage, and it is a stage. I hope you have gone a Alzheimer's web site or gotten a book that explains each of the 7 stages of Alzheimer's it will help you better understand that what is happening is completely normal. Almost all people who have the disease have a desire to "go home". This is the process of the short term memories not being able to become long term memories so the old long term memories come to the front as it they were current. Usually you will find that they really do not know where "home" is it is just a way of the mind trying to deal with this new process as the plaque is filling up the nerve brain cells and destroying them.

If you have not, you need to have her evaluated and get her on a treatment that is much better now then they were 10 years ago when my mother was diagnosed. Good and Blessed Be
(1)
Report

I called the doctor today for me...before I have a nervous breakdown. I thought about the need to maybe up the dose on her anti anxiety medication. I think I'll check on that.
(0)
Report

JLO2013 - it may be time to talk to her doctor about this. She may need an increase in her medicine or prescribed something to help her with anxiety. My mother-in-law had Dementia and did this too - so I know how frustrating it is - caregiving really stinks sometimes. But her doctor may give her something to help her sleep and for her anxiety during the day. I did this for my mother-in-law. She wasn't "over-medicated", but just enough to help her relax which was what I wanted - which made my life a little easier too. Caregiving is exhausting enough by itself so think about it. Good luck!!
(1)
Report

This discussion has been closed for comment. Start a New Discussion.
Start a Discussion
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter