It seems like this past 1-2 weeks, mom has really begun to fail mentally. She can no longer manage her pills at all... she forgot her hair appointment today. Thing is, I reminded her last night @ 9:00 before bed, and then again when she called @ 10:00 this morning and by 11:10 she said, "oh, I have an appointment??"
Also she is getting more shaky. I took her to the dr last week because of her fatigue and weakness. But from the onset of symptoms to the time we got there 2 days later, she made what seemed like a great recovery.
Now last night, doesn't feel well again. We have a neurologist appt on March 3. But I really am wondering what the heck is going on lately. I made her drink a bottled water today on her way to the hairdresser. I think maybe she is dehydrated as she drinks coffee, sprite, and that's it. Trying to get her on more water. But this confusion of late seems to have springed up. Is there any reason it could be jumping like this?
Could she be a little depressed with being cooped up or winter blues? My mom has spells where she is more confused, memory loss, lethargic and complains of not feeling well and then she sleeps more than usual and once she drinks more or drinks a few Boosts a couple days and gets outside to sit or go for a walk she improves and gets back to normal and is more sharp. She's always better when I'm around oe we go out to do things and I think some of her memory problems escalate when she is lonely or isolated.
The neurologist appt is coming up, might want to see if they can see her sooner if an opening pops up...could be a small stroke (not to scare you) but he'll be able to rule out anything.
Is it possible she has not taken meds properly or mixed them up? That could be source as well, although as you say she is bouncing back and was fine when you went to craft store.
I know exercise would help her but she told me her neck is stiff and she wants to sleep in a chair now....
I'm just really worried. I'm struggling with a few different issues right now in my own life not even related to mom directly... and I'm frustrated, worried, scared. I know it would absolutely break what is left of her heart to go into ALF... never mind memory care.... but I have a feeling with a year's time there will be no other option.
In the meantime, I can't wrap my head around her sudden fatigue, weakness... she is almost whispering on the phone and I know she's not doing it for attention or faking because she is giving up going out shopping in the car with me and it's a beautiful day here... so I'm really concerned. Last week when she went to the dr he said her blood pressure, everything was great... she had gotten over the first bout of "weakness" after a day or two and then we saw him so of course she was all perky... isn't that always the way... but now she's down again.
I am trying to figure out if the dementia is related to it,... if somehow something happened to progress this suddenly. She has a stiff neck, she thinks from how she slept... for about 4 days now, around the time it began... I don't know if this stuff is related or not and my head is spinning playing detective.
1) The onset of an infection or other illness. Often the increased dementia symptoms come first.
2) A drug reaction -- wrong dose, wrong drug, wrong combination of drugs, etc. Usually this will show up soon after starting a new drug, but it could occur any time.
3) A progression of the dementia itself.
If the cause is illness or drugs, the dementia can get back to its baseline when the cause is cleared up. If this is a true progression of the dementia then the best you can expect is to change the treatment plan to try to mitigate the new symptoms.
Dementia progresses. Some kinds of dementia progress in a fairly predictable pattern, gradually getting worse. Other kinds progress in fits and starts, seeming much worse one day and better by afternoon and worse again in two days. But either way, the disease does get worse over time.
I am glad you are seeing her doctor in just a couple of weeks. Keep a notebook of all the ups and downs until then, so the doctor has a good picture of what is going on.
I am so sorry you are going through this. It is a hard journey. Your mother is lucky to have you by her side.
I truly wonder if even the doctors can get it right figuring out what is wrong with elderly people.m Personally I don't go to one unless something is dropping off lol
Please keep us updated. We're all here for you.
I thought about it and I think it "might?" be related to her change in pills.... - you see, she was confused about "all the bottles" (she has 3... hello) but I said ok here we go; I will get you a weekly little pill box! Problem solved, right? wrong. This week has been hell.... she insists on knowing daily "what is the pink one for?" "What is the green pill for?" "How about the white pill?" Finally I just wrote her a description on a piece of paper so she could refer to it. I'd like to say, "Just TAKE THEM! The doctor prescribed them and I am tired of repeating myself every day" but I know that would upset her so I figured writing it where she can see it would work.
It didn't, because now she can't think which day she is on.
UGH!
So I am going to keep them in the pill box but I am going to have to "administer" (i hate that word) them to her... I'll just be there to see to it she takes them.
I think she either took them 2x in one day...
or didn't take anything at all for a few days...
I'm almost hoping that's all it is... It could certainly be enough to create an issue with an almost 91 year old woman who weighs 95 lbs...
As to weakness, dizziness, etc. -- once I paid attention to what Mom was eating, I realized it was all loaded with sodium. Not a good thing for someone with blood pressure over 200! So we revamped her eating habits, and now Mom is off all blood pressure meds because it is all within normal range.
An aide/companion will help you both tremendously. With luck, you might find a kindly, loving neighbor who would like to make a few extra bucks on the QT. Which would be a win-win for all involved. Good luck!
There should be more information about the risks involved for seniors as regarding anesthesia.
The Dr. wrote new scripts to help her memory and Ativan to help her sleep through the night. The Dr. is looking for a facility to place her in for tests to find out what happened to her that made her snap so suddenly, was supposed to be a couple of days, well it has been a week and still nothing. MIL has improved some but still says things like "remember when we met and how we walked to church together. We had such good times. When I said my vows I meant them... I get glaring stares and snide remarks even though we have told her that she is mistaken. It's been trying to say the least, ya'll say a prayer for us and lets hope they get her in somewhere that they can find out what happened.
Helped her. She is ninety. This will also get your mom from being depressed. Plus give her exercise when she takes the dog out. Give it a try. Pami
Do you have a firm diagnosis of Dementia? Treat accordingly. Neurologists and orthopaedic specialists are your best bet. If it is dementia, it can worsen.
I could go on and on, but I'll leave that up to others.
having weak spells. Now 4 weeks from entering nursing facility she is completely out of it and we ask doctor to check her. The nurses in the facility say she is faking to get out of therapy,
and are kind of writing it off to age and stubbornness (which she can be). They run blood test
came back white count 30 (30000), but urine clear and no fever. Now she is on her way to hospital with sepsis. Very Critical. Blood test should have been done 3 weeks ago.
SO DO NOT WAIT.
i really like the suggestion of keeping notes for the doctor, so he understands your concern and sees the big picture. keep us posted