It sounds that way from the stories & questions I see. Can the brain be happy then? I see so many people posting with "how can I improve my mom/dad's anger/rage/negativity?" I know this is not a normal part of aging. I also know that dementia patients can start to have behaviors that would be categorized as psychotic if they didn't already have a dementia diagnosis. Is this extreme unhappiness (for lack of a better word) typical as the brain deteriorates?
My mother has been dealing with dementia for probably six or seven years. She is now in a nursing home. She has a broken hip that did not heal but except for the pain when she has to be moved, she is content. She still jokes and flirts a little and likes her food and enjoys baseball on the tv.
Hubby was always a patient, pleasant person and remained so throughout his dementia journey. Mom is a gentle, pleasant, happy person and dementia hasn't changed that.
I suspect that on this site it seems like most dementia patients get very unhappy because those are the caregivers who are inspired to ask for help. I've never posted that "My husband is so happy about small things in his life. What should I do?" I've never posted, "My very pleasant mother is going along nicely with what the staff suggests for her and is polite to them."
I recall that some of the members of my local support group have had loved ones who were angry and very unhappy and many of them have retained their former personalities. It is really hard to know how common the "unhappy" behavior is and whether it varies depending on the kind of dementia.
My husband died holding my hand in our bedroom. I was with him around the clock for ten years. I can say with confidence that he did not display the "unhappy" behavior talked about in this thread.
I know full well that unhappy behavior exists and is frequent. But whether it is is "most" or "some" or "a few" persons with dementia would be hard to say. I just know it is not "all".
My mother went through over two years of being nearly impossible when I came here. Something changed. She lost interest in doing many things and settled in to watch TV all day long. She began sleeping more. I wonder if there is a midpoint in aging or dementia where people are the most unhappy. Then as they get past that point, they start to accept things and become happier. I don't know.
Like I do believe, as I have a few Doctors that are in the field, and studying Dementia and Alzheimer's, not two people are alike. There seems to be more angry upset Dementia patient's. That being said though, there are those who have Alzheimer's who are angry, but my mom is happy about everything. Yes, 90% of what she says is a story, but she is happy.
Of course, I have no idea when her attitude will change. I know things will progress, but I have no idea of the time table.
I also see many other residents in the ALF and I haven't noticed any of them, except for one, who demonstrates rage or angry attitude. I'm in the place a lot, so I would think I would have seen something. But, I agree, it seems many people see that with their loved ones who have AD.
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