In a matter of months, my mom has gone from living at home showing signs of mild dementia to living in a nursing home to a doctor recommending we put her in hospice for advanced dementia. We had to put her in a nursing home because she was an invalid and my dad with Alzheimer's could not longer take care of her or himself.
Can dementia progress that rapidly?
It may also be, as in many cases, that your mom was already quite badly off but it was masked by having your father run interference and take over on all fronts. she also had the "help."
This is so common that sometimes family members who visit routinely do not realize how bad things have gotten.
Be grateful that she was home and "functional" for so long.
Good luck!
"Couldn't we talk about something more pleasant?" by Roz Chast.
I walked around with this book clutched to my chest for about five months when my mom was in the worst of it. The book is helpful and very funny. It describes this situation to a T.
If it is a stroke test will verify that. On hospice testing is usually eliminated. If not planning treatment, then why do the testing?
A story from a friend of mine. Her aunt was diagnosed with early onset dementia. Her sister agreed to take care of her so they both moved in together. Suddenly, her symptoms escalated and so they went back to her doctor. They found she had a brain tumor. That was the cause of the escalation. The decision was made for no treatment of the brain tumor. She passed within 2 months of the tumor diagnosis. Tough decision, but the right decision for these sisters.
There are doctors that specialize in dementia and can do testing to determine the type of dementia. I tried that with my mom but she will not cooperate with the testing, mainly because she can't understand what they are asking her to do and it makes her angry and combative. So, every time we go to see this doctor they try another part of the testing but back off very quickly when they see she can't do it.
Sending hugs and prayers your way. Take care of yourself.
In addition to ensuring no UTI - fluids... once, before the real signs showed up for our mother, I found her in a bad state, felt like garbage, somewhat disoriented, etc. Turns out her potassium levels were low, which DOES impact brain functioning! She spent a couple of days in the hospital and was back to her old negative self-important self in no time. However the signs were already there, I sensed them. The progression was somewhat quick to the next level, when it became more obvious to my brothers, but usually there are "plateaus". We did move her to memory care (not willingly), and though sometimes she can seem "lucid", other times not so much. Clearly short term memory is shot, but she seems to be doing well (still repetitively asks to go home).
I would suggest perhaps another opinion, preferably from a specialist in neurology or gerantology, not just a primary care doctor.
My DH is 95 and if he isn't helped, nothing happens. But I do try to have him make as many decisions as possible.
@gladimhere - I think I'll put off the autopsy if that is the only way to diagnose dementia.
@mar126 - thank you for mentioning dehydration! I am dealing with this possibility right now and it too causes confusion, weakness, lethargy. DH's new Zero Gravity Chair is draining fluids from him and the Lasix is not helping. So we do need to be watching for signs of dehydration. I've recently cut back 1/2 of his Lasix and thinking that maybe he should just be taken off it at least for now. It helps when you have a primary physician that will work with you.
Old Age ain't for sissies. I am 30 years his junior and we've been together 32 years now - it's difficult to watch when the end is near.
Lightly pinch the skin in back of hand so that it makes a 'mountain' then quickly let go - if the skin stays in the mountain shape then they are dehydrated - if it goes back slowly they are approaching it - if it springs back then no problem - this can be done on anyone even kids - practice on yourself a few times
I sometimes use pointing finger & middle so it can look like you're just touching back of hand but this way takes a bit of practice but is good if there are objections to testing - hope this helps as we go into summer
Are all the financial/legal things in place?
There is nothing else wrong with at person.Another disease related to dementia is pix disease .
Pick disease is a rare form of dementia that is similar to Alzheimer disease, except that it tends to affect only certain areas of the brain.You can google t for more info.
SALISBURY MENTIONED A BOOK I am going to order & read because my sister who is 73 in June has Alzheimer's for the last 5 years.There is no other medical conditions that she has.After she took care of her hubby who had cancer of the bowel passed -- she went right down hill.She was a health aid & could take care of him at home until the end & then he passed in the hospital.Stress can do a lot to a person.Either her husband knew she the starting of Alzheimer's & was going to take care of her until he got very ill
No one will ever know.Two years later I had to step in & have my sister placed in a nursing home .Fortunately I have P.O.A over her health well -fair- she has no family .
Another book to read based on a true story is " Still Alice" after reading the novel I could see all the different stages of my sister.
She had many that I could relate to--looking back when she told me that her Dr was sending her to a mental health clinic to have tests done.. Alzheimer's is not a nice disease to have. I enjoy reading the different questions & answers on AGEING ARE.COM
it has helped me stay focussed on a lot of articles .This is a great group .Thanks
If this fits with your case...leaving lights on is a great help...the brighter, the better. Once they fall to sleep, the episode passes.
And where is spell-check when needed?.