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Concerned,not sure where to go from here

kattie5555
kattie5555 Member Posts: 2
First Comment
Member
My mother has dementia and I think it is in her last stage. I was wondering if I could find some information to see where we are at. I know that everyone is different in regards to what symptoms/behaviors they go through to determine what stage they are at, but just starting this week, actually, about 2 days now, she will not get out of bed, screams at me to leave her alone she is sleepy and staying in bed, and this is what she has done for a good 24 hours which means she does not want to eat, drink, etc..Before this behavior, she had been doing good, she gets up a little later but she gets up, eats breakfast, and we get on with our day. But that has now stopped. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Comments

  • towhee
    towhee Member Posts: 476
    Seventh Anniversary 100 Comments 25 Likes 5 Care Reactions
    Member

    It is possible that she could have a UTI, constipation, or other illness. These can cause behavior changes. For stages, look under the Group section for one called New Caregiver Help, it should have a link there.

  • kattie5555
    kattie5555 Member Posts: 2
    First Comment
    Member

    Thank you for your help, I truly appreciate it. Somedays get too overwhelming, I just have to keep reminding myself that it is the disease, not her, because my mother is the sweetest person I know! But again thank you for your information. God Bless and Take care. Katherine

  • cdgbdr
    cdgbdr Member Posts: 97
    25 Likes 25 Care Reactions 10 Comments 5 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    Agree that she may be ill with something she can't express. You can call her PCP for direction.

  • mabelgirl
    mabelgirl Member Posts: 269
    100 Comments 25 Insightfuls Reactions 25 Care Reactions 25 Likes
    Member

    We found this tool very helpful.

    https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6372d16ea4e02c7ce64425b7/t/63f7b80d80d8aa3e3aa4a47d/1677178894184/DBAT.pdf

    My mother is late stage and she also for last several months does not want to eat or drink. We are constantly bringing her her favorites to entice her. She’s also taken to staying in her bed. Certainly get her checked if it’s suddenly out of character. She also gets snippy when we try to get her up and moving and says she can do what she wants! Having a prescribed PT plan at least gets her to move some. Prayers for a turn around.

  • terei
    terei Member Posts: 612
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments 100 Insightfuls Reactions 100 Likes
    Member

    In these cases, a hospice evaluation is vitally necessary IMO

  • VictoriaA
    VictoriaA Member Posts: 9
    First Comment First Anniversary
    Member

    @mabelgirl Super helpful tool. Thanks!

    @Kattie5555 Sending warm thoughts to you. I’m also in the process of navigating the drastic personality changes in my Mom. She’s gone from the sweetest person I’ve known to an angry, accusatory, outright nasty person (who now cusses) who I don’t recognize.

    She’s really trying to maintain her independence and freedom and resents her new AL and me for “putting her in there” and “stealing her life”, etc.

    On the daily, I have to remind myself it’s the disease, and her brain under attack, and not her (or me). But, it’s not easy. I miss my Mom…

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more