Paranoia, Self-isolation, split personalities

Carrie2023

It's only been 6 months that my mom has lived with us. Things were going well for the first 5 months, then BANG! Super steep decline. She had some paranoia before, now it's constant. She used to have great conversations with the lady in the mirror, but she became very aggitated and thought someone was trapped behind the glass, so they have been covered. Through the early stages, she began talking about trauma from her childhood and that has resurfaced. However, she talks about other people hurting her - including myself - I assume that is because she doesn't remember who did hurt her and I am the one she remembers? She makes comments about someone coming here to put me in prison or to kill me. We have tried to remove any items that could be used as weapons, as honestly, she worries me as I don't know what she is capable of now. We've added locked gates and deadbolt locks (only open with a key) because she has left the house twice. I've seen two distinct personalities with her, small glimpses of my mom who was sweet and happy, then more of the other person who speaks in a different voice and says terrible things to me. She talks non stop to the people in the room (not any of us who she lives with). She rarely sleeps and usually stays in her room most of the day. I had a home care agent come last week to talk about services that might help her and she was mad. Why would I think she needs any services?! I have an appointment to speak with an elder care attorney soon as we'll need Medicaid to get her into MC. The day-to-day atmosphere in my home is depressing. We walk on egg shells so as to not make her mad and there's no fun interaction with her anymore. Until I can get her into a MC facility, I don't know what else I can do for her...Alzheimer's sucks! It has robbed my mother of her life and has robbed me of my mother. It has to be one of - if not the worst things you can watch a loved one go through. I feel like I'm grieving my mom even though she's right in front of me. Guess I just needed to rant

Emily 123

Hi Carrie,

Have you reached out to her provider to make them aware of the behaviors and have an adjustment of her meds? Have they checked for a new UTI?

solerdr

Good morning Carrie.

I am so sorry you and your family are having to experience this in your lives right now.

Yes, ALZ's is a terrible disease and does rob us of our loved ones. It is hard to watch our loved ones slowly disappear, which is the reason ALZ's is called "the long good-bye".

What you are experiencing is pretty normal. My father used to have conversations with people we could not see; however, at times those with ALZ's may see an image of a person. The brain could be showing them an image from their past or from television and they may believe they see someone in the room, nothing to be too worried about.

And yes, there will be glimpses of the mother you knew from time-to-time, yet, those will become fewer and further between as the disease progress I am sorry to say.

As for the present moment, and prior to MC, you'll just have to do the best you can. Music often would help my father relax. Some Chamomile tea if you do not live in a state where marijuana is legal. CBD is another way to go as well.

I wish you and your family the best.

May God's light guide your day and His spirit fill your heart with peace.

mommyandme (m&m)

Really sorry this is happening! Sometimes a sudden steep decline is caused by a medical issue like a silent UTI, which often doesn’t have clear symptoms. You may want to talk to the doc about a test for that too, just to make sure.

Carrie2023

Thank you all for the advice and information! A visit with the doctor today received a new low-dose prescription to help calm her in the evenings, which are the worst time. I keep hearing about UTI's. Is that more prevalent with Alzheimer's patients? She's not exhibiting any symptoms, but I don't want to rule anything out. I am reading more about them and I'm surprised to read that a UTI can cause such problems! Thanks again, I truly appreciate you all!

Best,

Carrie