Stroke?

SDSmith

My mother is 78 years old and is in the last stage of Alzheimer's.  She's been in a home for about 6 weeks and the Director sent me a picture of mom the other day.  I noticed that her left eye is droopy and the eye is looking in a different direction from the other eye.  We were told that she has started chewing on her glasses and throwing them along with increased agitation (slapping, punching, scratching and spitting).  She has also started shaking.  I am wondering if she may have had a mini stroke?  How can you tell?  Does she need to have tests done?  I appreciate any suggestions.

M1

Is she on hospice SDS?  I know you must be concerned, but if she's truly end-stage I would focus on comfort only and not try to pursue other evaluation.  If she is agitated, she may need a medication adjustment or other measures, but I would focus on making sure she's not in distress and leave it at that......

SDSmith

She is not on Hospice yet but the Director said we are very close.  I don't want her taken from the facility for testing, that would be traumatizing for everybody.  They just changed her meds from Ativan to Xanex.  The Director said it seems to be working a bit better and she's not screaming as much.  But it dawned on me that if she had a stroke, then screaming is her way of communicating.  I hate this disease....

zauberflote

SD, don't wait for her doctor to tell you it's time for hospice. If you are ready in your own heart for the hospital/doctor visits to stop-- or even if you're not!-- that can be your choice as you desire-- call a hospice or two and ask for an evaluation. They come to you. My mom was walking, talking, and eating well, and had great vitals,  when she was accepted. She was on for 8 months.  MIL was on (for COPD) for 18 months.

jfkoc

A lot of people have an averse reaction to Ativan...see how the other rug works.

SDSmith

Thank you.  The facility she is in has a Hospice team and they will be evaluating her next week.  Turns out she did have a TIA and we were told to expect more in the near future.  It seems to be the progression in the last time period of life with Alz.