I'm the caregiver for my 91 year old Grandmother with Alzheimer's and Pulmonary Fibrosis. Christmas time we had family here and she was doing better than she had in a year. As soon as they left, it seems like she thought that she could stop trying so hard and began to rapidly decline. She started hardly eating. I can get her to drink 1 ensure and maybe eat a piece of toast all day. She has trouble swallowing and chocked on her meds every day. She was sleeping around 20 hours a day, and now she's up and down all night and day. It's dangerous for her to wander, because even with her walker she has very little balance, and gets out of breath very easily. She will fall asleep at night, and a couple times a week she will wake up saying that someone (who I know is dead) is taking her somewhere. I would walk into her room to find her attempting to get herself dressed. It seems like the daily "normal Grandma" to "Alzheimers Grandma" is becoming shorter, and she's "Alzheimers Grandma" more and more. I don't know what I can do to help make her more comfortable. I try to be there, hold her hand, read the her etc, but she either ignores me or gets angry and agitated and pushes me away. I'm out of ideas :(
I might discuss her behavior with her doctor. I'd report any change in mental status. I'd ask they check her for a UTI or some other condition. I'd ask to review her medications and explore meds to help her sleep through the night.
If she's choking on food, I'd request a Swallowing assessment. She may need to have her liquid thickened. I'd read about how in the later stages, a dementia patient may stop eating or eat little. Of course, I'd rule out some other explanation, like reflux or even a dental problem. Pain in the mouth may cause her to refuse food. Sometimes they cannot verbally report the pain.
I might work on ruling out things like pain, depression, anxiety, etc. Eventually, it could just be the dementia. Sometimes the patient is not able to accept care and they may even be resistant to it. Do you have someone helping you with the care? I'd get some support, so you can get respite time.
I think you can only try to offer her some comfort...this will not likely go on for much longer
The only thing I can add is also check in with her pulmonary dr. Check her oxygen with the finger oximeter.
My friend who had pulmonary fibrosis would become very agitated at times as her fibrosis advanced. Not being able to breath is frightening. Your GM might need oxygen.
We're going in for the swollow test next month. We are doing everything we can not to put her on more meds. With all her health issues, she's already taking 15 pills a day.
I will check out that book and youth channel though. Thank you
Good luck, she's lucky to have you. It sounds like she's in a difficult place and you've been trying your best to help her.