Stepdad and I are caregivers. Today is the second day of not eating. My mom has Alzheimers and I am her daughter. Only one of 6 kids that stepped in to help. My stepdad went away for a much needed break for 8 nights. Good for him I say. She has whined 24/7 since he has been gone. We haven't said when he is coming back only soon or in a day or so. Because I am the change in the house I get the brunt of her verbal bashings. Now she has decided not to eat. today is day 2 and still no food. I notice her complaining about something stuck in her throat several times a day. How long before i call a doctor and have him intervene?
Could it also be that your mother doesn't want to eat unless her husband is at home? Even having Alzheimer's, she could very well be missing him.
Hope you can eventually find the cause for her not eating.
Re your mum it may be because her throat is uncomfortable when swallowing for some reason that should be looked into by her doctor or it may be a protest against your step dad taking a break, or, I suppose, it could be both. The biggest concern as others have mentioned is hydration. it is good that she is drinking water today. Maybe wait a bit more and see. How long till your step dad returns?
Your mom may no longer process how to get food, how to swallow, how to pick up a utensil, what room to go to. She's clearly hungry, but this is not like a three year old being hungry where, if you put food within reach, they will eat.
You really, really REALLY (and I'm real sorry if you think that I'm being harsh with you) need to get it out of your head that what is going on has ANYTHING to do with you and your mom trying to GET you. You need to step back and look at this from the persepctive of brain function. Which is why you should call her neurologist.
COA is involved as well as APS, because she tells them I am mean to her,
and has instructed them not to let me know what is going on and even
signed a release. Since her demeanor has been going downhill, her Case
Manager has told me a few things.
As recent as last week, she walked 3 miles up a very busy highway and I had
to call the police after a friend saw her crossing a 4 lane highway.. They found her and took her home. It was very cold that day as well.
She frequently calls the police, 25 times in 6 weeks and they called me to see what her issue was. I gave them all the phone numbers of the caregivers she has assisting her living at home alone. I work full-time and she does not want to live with us. I feel she is unsafe in her home. Especially after taking off for a 3 mile jaunt up the highway.
What am I supposed to do when she is telling the caregivers helping her to stay in her home when they won't share information with me? I tried for guardianship last year and $1000 later, I was denied. They said she was physically fine to stay in her home. It is a mental issue not a physical issue.
I was urged to contact my attorney again. I did and he said unless APS is going to side with me, we would come back with the same result as last year. It is so frustrating... Help.
an interesting article, might help?