Increased confusion after Covid?

Anonymousjpl123

A few weeks ago my mom got Covid and had to be hospitalized, which coincided with me being away for 8 days. She is now physically fine, but the MC called the Occupational therapist for increased confusion. It is true she is having more difficulty with words, and some behaviors (e.g. took her shirt off in my car). Can Covid cause this? Anything else to look out for? It has been a noticeable change.

M1

Yes, sorry to say. Covid is known to worsen dementia.

Anonymousjpl123

Thanks @M1 . Just can’t get a break with it.

Anonymousjpl123

Now I’m just venting. I know we are all going through this.

But is there ever a time that things can just be normal? This progression feels relentless and I just want to coast for a second. I try to find balance and stay positive and it just can’t seem to happen. Sorry. I know. I’m just venting.

M1

I find that most of the semi-stable periods are over before you know it and only recognizable in retrospect. We had a rocky first week of March with four falls in one week (no clear cause); then two or three relatively quiet weeks. Now as of yesterday she is much more discontent and sundowning more. Every visit reinforces my prayers that it just be over.

There is no real stability, sadly. Your vacation was well timed and I'm glad you squeezed it in.

Anonymousjpl123

That helps. I guess I sometimes think I must be doing something wrong.

The fact that you, and others, who seem intelligent and totally devoted to your LO’s care experience these same awful bumps makes me realize it’s just this disease. I hate it.

I think you are right. It’s good I got the vacation in. I do feel a bit better that it’s not just me. I get wanting this to be over. Thanks again.

Anonymousjpl123

Just an update: the Covid really has an impact. She has progressed so much. Her words are so much more confused. It does sometimes seem like she had a stroke or something. It’s not easy. I am surprised how huge and sustained the impact has been.

God I feel for everyone who had to survive the pandemic and this. I cannot imagine.

psg712

I feel you. Covid set my mom back too. Although she was already in line for memory care before her bout with covid, she is unmistakably farther down the road with dementia now (4 months since she had it). Hard to say whether it would have been this bad anyway without the virus.

I hope that your mom reaches a little plateau, even temporarily, to let you catch your breath. Hugs for you.

Anonymousjpl123

Thank you, as always @psg712 . I know I probably sound repetitive giving these updates but it just feels like a jolt every time.

I’m so so so sorry that your mom is noticeably farther after 4 months since her bout. I’ve been reading about it, and Covid can definitely compound dementia. I guess the brain is already fragile and becoming more so, and Covid just gives the immune system one more battle, even with vaccinations.

I do hope your mom does ok in memory care. For me, and I believe for my mom, memory care has become a place tinged with sadness but also safe, warm, welcoming. I still take her out (she can still go and enjoy it), and while she gets sad when she sees people or things familiar to her from before, she is always happy to go back. She’s less coherent every day but also less stressed. I’m trying to stay present with while still wrapping my mind around it. I guess that’s all we can do.

psg712

Yes, my mom's experience in memory care has been similar to yours. While her world is much smaller now, it is also more secure and peaceful for her. She is quieter, doesn't have much to say, but also is much less distressed than she was in earlier stages. I agree with your perception that memory care is "tinged with sadness but also safe, warm, welcoming." That's a beautiful way to express it.