Rapid Progression

Arrowhead

The progression of Alzheimer’s can jump suddenly. My wife was diagnosed in July 2016. Her rate of decline stayed fairly steady until last December. In memory care, she walked 12 to 18 hours a day, she could feed herself, and she talked a lot of word salad. In the middle of December she was hospitalized with a urinary tract infection. By the time she left the hospital, she was afraid to walk and confined herself to a wheelchair. She could hardly feed herself and her “talking” greatly diminished. At the end of January, she was back at the hospital with aspiration. Now she is bedridden, needs to be fed, hardly talks at all, and is on hospice. This is my warning; be prepared for anything, because you just never know what is going to happen, or when.

SusanB-dil

Oooh, Arrowhead, that sure is a rough progression. Although good to hear from you, I'm sorry for this news.

Are you taking care of YOU?? ((hugs))

SDianeL

The same thing happened to my husband Lonny. He passed last August. I’m sure your post will help others. So sorry you are at this point. Praying for you and your wife. 💜

Jgirl57

I hope you are finding some comfort from the hospice team. You and your DW have had a long road. Sorry to hear she is struggling now. Thank you for sharing your update . ((( Hugs))) to you both

KarenLeggett

Thank you sharing Arrowhead. 🙏 and💓 to you and your wife.

Arrowhead

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/237833#Comment_237833

I'm doing well. I have supper with friends every Thursday, I bought a cue stick and shoot pool from time to time. Now I'm waiting for fishing season to begin. I keep busy most of the time and have a healthy appetite. I'm only 70 and still have a lot of living to do. Thank you for asking.

GothicGremlin

This is my warning; be prepared for anything, because you just never know what is going to happen, or when.

Isn't that just the truth? That was always my attitude as well.

I'm sorry that your wife has had such a steep decline, it's so hard. I'm glad though that you're taking care of you though.

Quilting brings calm

Mom’s decline was steep and swift too. We called hospice in just because she was needing extra help to shower and dress and thought she’d get a benefit from the extra help. She was not expected to die. 5 weeks later she was gone.

Please take care of yourself Arrowhead. That steep decline is exhausting for the caregiver.

H1235

My mom has vascular dementia which tends to progress in steps vs a steady decline. It has been two years since she was diagnosed and there has been no decline yet. She is diabetic, doesn’t exercise, eat healthy, and has edema. I feel very on edge wondering when this step down will be. I also have an uncle who is 86 with no kids and lives 2 hours away(does not have dementia and is very independent). I am extremely stressed with what is to come. The not knowing what to expect or when is hard. I feel like I have an anvil over my head.