My mom has dementia and is on aricept (10 mg) for about 7 months. When my dad was dying she couldn't remember who I was or who my husband was. The memory lasp only lasted a little while. We attributed that to the trauma of my dad dying. He died this past January. Since then she has been pretty good. She definitely remembers things in her past better than what happened yesterday. I guess what concerned me is this morning when I went in to get her up she said she had a bad nightmare. When I asked her what it was about she looked do confused and said she didn't know her name. Then she asked who I was. Couldn't remember my dad let alone him dying. Couldn't remember her family members dying, she's the last one living in her family. My mom is 90. She seemed fine when she went to bed last night. Is this a normal part of dementia? To be fine one day and totally mixed up the next? She has come back around somewhat now that she is up and has had her breakfast. Just guess it caught me off guard and not sure what to expect.
When mom was rehabbing in the nursing home from her broken hip, she was worse. I think because of all the strangers around her. When I'd come up to her with a big smile, I could see she didn't know who I was. So I'd say, "Hi, mom!! It's your very favorite daughterrrr!" (I'm an only.) She'd laugh, and I could see she remembered. But not at first.
She forgets a lot. Some of it ends up being humorous. She thinks her boyfriend (of 47 years) is my father sometimes...then it dawns on her...she gets frustrated. I really don't remind her unless I have to. Why?
Don't worry about it. Why? Because you can't do a thing about it. It's the natural progression of dementia. Just go with the flow. (Well, unless she has a urinary tract infection, or has started some new medicine you suspect.)
The staff at the AL, where she resides, is used to it. I am learning to not jump onto everything she tells me. I follow up, but I know that there is a good chance her reports are imaginary. Last week she told they would no longer allow her to have ice cream for desert. I found out that it wasn't true. After dinner they are offered a choice between two deserts and one choice is usually a small cup of ice cream. If you pick the cake, you can't have the ice cream too. I think she may have wanted both. lol
Before she went to AL, my LO told me that when she awoke that morning everything seemed so different. She said she wasn't sure where she was at first. She was already in Moderate stage at that time.
What I do expect is that she has limited abilities to operate things like CD players, devices, etc. I now know that her reading is limited, so I take her things with lots of pictures. I keep her clothes simple and comfortable without lots of buttons or zippers, as they frustrate her. I try to provide her with basic things that she can still operate, but that become a challenge. I know the things will be able to do will decrease over time.
I try to prepare myself to not be disappointed that she has no idea who has brought her things to the ALF. We talk about things in the moment and I let her take the lead. If she starts talking about leaving the facility, I'll change the topic to something else quickly.
I have no idea how she will be on the next visit, but from what I see from the other residents who have dementia....it's sad. It's likely she will not be able to carry a conversation much longer. I hope for another year.....maybe. After that, I'll just visit with her, talk a little and just let her know I'm still there. I don't know what else you can do. I don't really have any expectations at this point. I just pray she doesn't fall and break bones or suffer from any serious illness.
expect constant hallucinations and a stream of jibberish in the end stages ..
i sometimes go get my aunt a hamburger in the evenings because " nobody has given her anything to eat all day " . its always a wry smile moment between NH staff and i ..
My husband could carry on a lucid conversation until the end, but he also lapped into gibberish occasionally.
What we can expect with our demented loved ones is an overall downward slope, and lots and lots of ups and downs along the way.