Drastic Change in Posture

PurpleFinch

Hi all!

My mom is 70 and I am her 27 yo daughter/caregiver. Over the summer we placed her in a memory care unit due to her FTD getting worse. Last month, within a week her posture drastically changed. She is hunched over and she is unable to move her head up (her chin is touching her chest). She was just evaluated by a physical therapist who said this drastic change is rare and she is unsure she can do to help. They may have her wear a soft collar if her posture does not get better soon. The doctor at the memory care unit suggested to decrease her SSRI medication so her dosage was drastically reduced 2 weeks ago. They anticipated for her posture to improve immediately due to the medication change but it hasn’t.

Has anyone else had this experience with their loved one? Have you seen a drastic change (within 6-7 days) in their posture? I feel so sad and upset especially because the medical staff is unable to give answers as to what could have caused this. I understand it may be due the dementia- it’s just hard to accept because the change was so rapid.

M1

Two things come to mind: stroke, possibly; and the possibility of Lewy body dementia (look up the Lewy Body Lean, and Pisa syndrome). My sister in law had Lewy body disease with a presentation that was almost completely motor until the very end.

It may be a moot point. Sorry you are facing this, the abrupt changes are always unsettling.

PurpleFinch

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/188021#Comment_188021

Thank you! I will look up Lewy body dementia.