Mom's New Diagnosis

Hello All!

I can't tell you how happy I am to find this discussion board! My mom (76) was diagnosed with dementia a few weeks ago following an episode that involved her wandering the neighborhood at 3am and a horrific fall that landed us in the ER with a head injury. She told me that someone had stolen our furniture and she was trying to get it back. She thought she was on her childhood street. All checked out physically.. but she was super confused and does not remember any of it. Since then, my brother installed alarms on the doors and a couple of cameras inside so I can check on her while I am working, as she is alone during the day. She had been slowly declining over the past couple of years but it started getting worse last year. We already had an appointment with a Neuro/Psychologist prior to the episode, they just confirmed what I already knew. I am a medical assistant and have patients with cognitive decline, so I knew what I was seeing.

Since the appointment, she has not had any major episodes as the one that night in July but her confusion in increasing rapidly . She has trouble with timelines, such as how long she has lived in the house we are in (25 years ) and is convinced that we have another home and asks me if I have paid the bills / mortgage there. She introduced herself to family members at a reunion over the 4th. She thinks I am visiting ( i moved home in 2007) or says when she gets home she will do this or that. But… here is the kicker….She still tutors twice a week and does not miss a beat!!

She taught middle school science for 35 years while raising my brother and me by herself. She got her master's degree in education and then went on to teach reading and math to elementary students. She had an amazing career that included teaching teachers to teach science in ways that kids can understand. She has been tutoring since she retired.

For the past 2 weeks, all she has done is cry. She is still there enough to know what is happening to her brain and I believe she is grieving her mind and body, She is terrified. She is worried about being a burden on us. My family is amazing but we are spread out all over the state. We have a plan to move closer to them within this next year, but there is SO much to do and I'm pretty much by myself right now.

She is very depressed and has even said she does not to be here anymore. It is absolutely heartbreaking. We are very close and to watch her going through this… I feel like I am rambling… I guess what I am asking is if anyone has any suggestions. I have made an appointment with a psychiatrist for medication management for depression and something to slow this damn thing down….

My main goal and purpose is to make her feel as comfortable and safe as possible. I just feel so helpless!!! I have read some of your posts and I know I am not by myself in this,,,however…, I have never felt so alone in my life.

Thank you all for listening…THIS DISEASE SUCKS.

Best,

kpcma