Incontinence and no appetite, part of later stage?

TrumpetSwan

How do you know if incontinence and lack of appetite are due to aging or symptoms of a later stage of AD?

My mom is 86 years old, and seven years ago it became clear her cognitive issues were more than just forgetfulness. She and dad refuse official testing for a diagnosis, so I am mostly unofficially thinking she is seven years into the disease. I know she could go on still for years. However, it seems stage 6 is when I read incontinence related symptoms start.

She will eat, but mostly picks at food with utensils and never finishes a full plate. She has neuropathy and her mobility is limited but is able to use a walker to ambulate. However, she mostly sits in a chair and vocalizes any need she has, such as a glass of water or to turn down the heat. I also am unsure if she is able to fill a glass of water, or if she just does not want to walk over to the sink.

Is there any way to know if the lack of activity is AD related, or other? Or, is is mostly assumed AD is the underlying factor? She always was independent until a few years ago and never asked for anyone to do these things for her. Thank you.

M1

It may be kind of a moot point, but I would expect it's due to the dementia. When dementia is present, I don't think you can attirbute anything--especially incontinence--to "normal" aging.

Emily 123

Will she eat more if you try finger foods? Loss of appetite isn't unusual, but sometimes there's a factor of losing their ability to use utensils.

pookabera

I've found that questions about whether something is my dad's personality (stubborn) or his dementia is worth the conversation between my mom and I as caregivers (for venting purposes), but really functionally doesn't make much of a difference.

Echoing that loss of appetite is common - but some factors may be contributing that you may be able to address to assist her with eating. Like Emily said - finger foods (utensils require motor skills and concentration that can get too complicated as the disease progresses). It might help to eat with her, this worked with my dad for a little while but then he started trying to get me to eat his food too.

I've also found that my dad lost focus more easily. If he was eating and had to urinate, he would use his bedside urinal and then not return to eating even though he would usually finish the entire plate.

Things that require more than one step in a sequence can become difficult - which is why bathing and dressing can become issues for LOs with dementia or AD.