She gets violent from time to time, tries to hit and bite, and screams at the LVN who comes to give her baths who she loved a few months ago. She has been diagnosed with advanced dementia. Today she flipped me off when I told her to stop being so mean to her nurse. I've had it. I have been taking care of her for about 30 years and for the past 5 in our home. Now she's as nice as she can be and I am riding in her emotional ups and downs. It's crazy.
Yep, that's dementia.
It's hard, really hard on caregivers. Having a team to share the care is best, so you all get timeout.
What is your understanding of her diagnosis of advanced dementia?
She's 99 and you wonder why she isn't peachy sweet all the time? Shoot, I am only 64 and I have my days!
A very mild sedative as needed may help.
I think 30 years of care should net you some kind of award. Gosh, I can't spend an afternoon with my mom without getting a migraine.
Actually--thinking of a 99 yo woman flipping people off kind of makes me chuckle. She's probably just lost ALL sense of filter as to 'correct behavior'. My MIL is now dropping the 'F bomb' in her angry conversations and it's sad, but sort of hilarious.
I guess, sadly, we have to try to find some humor in their behavior.