Shower and BM

Rob's Daughter

Hello there

My mom is in the moderate stage of dementia. She's been in AL for almost two years now. Hospice has been visiting her since April. I saw her yesterday and she was just exhausted, she was laying almost flat in her Broda Chair and covered with a blanket. I spoke to an aid and she said when my mom has a big BM and gets a shower from Hospice it really wipes her out. They took her down for breakfast after but she didn't eat too much. Took her down for lunch and she fell asleep at the table. The aid was hoping she eat something for dinner that night. My mom did wake up and we had a short visit before I left because I knew she was tired and wanted to rest. I've noticed when she is tired, she won't make eye contact with me. Is this a normal decline? Its just so sad that a shower can do this to her.

jehjeh

I've discovered that DH is pretty wiped out after a shower. I've learned to shower the day before an appointment because if he showers in the morning he's too exhausted to go out that same day. He mostly sits around so I'm not surprised a simple shower (even with me doing most of the work) is very taxing.

Is there any way to have meals delivered to your mom's room and have someone feed her at these times? Perhaps it's time to begin thinking about memory care? She might need more assistance at this point.

My hubby does recover but it can take a day (sometimes two) for him to return to his pre shower energy level.

Hang in there. This disease keeps throwing curves at us but I'm glad your mom is in a safe place.