Dementia + Sundowning
ladybugfruit
14 years ago
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telly2
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoladybugfruit
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Parkinson's + dementia + hip fracture
Comments (6)I would think she should have all the test to determine the extent of damage to her hip. Then talk to the doctors and make your decision based on her over all health. My brother is in advanced stages of Parkinson's, is getting the dementia from the drugs that Parkinson's patients get.........and is no longer able to get up out of his wheel chair. That is the horrible truth of Parkinson's, it does come to that point. He use to get up, like your mother, and fell several times. One time severly bruising his hip, but thank god there was no fracture or break. Parkinson's patients always fight for their independence, not wanting to give in to their disease so she will continue to try to move, until the disease finally prevents her from being able to without assistance. Talk to her about her choice, don't just make it for her. The dementia most Parkinson's patience have is from the long term use of the drugs to treat the disease. More often than not, the mind is still there, functioning and aware of what is going on around them. Most "normal" people do not realize this and therefore treat Parkinson's patients like they are totatlly demented. I know, I have watched it happen to my brother, until I stepped in as his advocate, now the folks at his nursing home see him for the funny, caring and awesome man he really is.... Linda J...See MoreTIA vs. stroke, Encroaching dementia, or meds?
Comments (12)Sorry it's taken me so long to come back and say thanks for your thoughts. It's been kind of hectic. I managed to sit down with the nurse on Sunday and get some info. I was surprised to hear they hate "no memory deficits noted" in her paperwork. However, after I voiced my concerns to the nurse, yesterday they had a speech pathologist working with her, giving her tests for memory and thought processes. According to my mother, she was nervous about it but was relieved to find she did well. She had a great day at physical therapy also, and felt full of beans. As of yesterday, she was really psyched to go home. They are having a meeting in two days to discuss her progress; unfortunately I can't be there. But I'm going to try to let the social worker know my concerns about her living situation, so she can mention them at the meeting. The nurse said she couldn't tell me whether the diagnosis was an actual stroke, the doctor would have to. But when I brought up driving, she said after a stroke the DMV is notified and you have to be retested. Her dropping that tidbit told me it WAS a full stroke and that I would not be wrong in keeping the keys away at this point. Also, my mother eventually told me the reason she was in rehab was because of a stroke diagnoses--otherwise the insurance wouldn't have approved it. As far as the meds, she is down to an antibiotic for a bladder infection, a second round of colchicine to try and knock out remaining gout, plavix, and norvasc only when her blood pressure is up. I was actually glad to hear she had a bladder infection because that explained a lot. Several times in the past I was worried about dementia, and it turned out to be a bladder infection. (She gets them a lot.) If she was better mentally yesterday, I have to think it was partly the antibiotic kicking in. I got the application form for the sr. apartment, and a floor plan but I'm also trying to get the house in shape if she insists on going back. Oh, as far as who diagnosed the TIA and stroke. Her first one was a visual disturbance, and her eye doctor was the one who first suspected it. She told my mother to get checked out, and at the hospital she was seen by a neurologist among others. For the second episode, she was treated by the same neurologist. Don't know about a specific blood test for it, but they've done CAT scans, MRI's, an EEG, checked the circulation in her carotid arteries, can't think of what else. I'm pretty confident that they've checked everything they can, sometimes twice!...See MoreDementia question
Comments (21)Hi Susan, Do you know some of your father's friends? How to contact them? Do you know whether your brother may perhaps have talked to one or other of them? How about calling one or more of them, for I'm sure that they'll be able to fill you in on how things are going with your Dad ... some of the blank spaces. Will he be upset about your interference when he finds out that you've been talking to them? Maybe a good idea to let him know of that possibility beforehand, so it's not a surprise when they tell him that they've been talking to you? I agree that it's important that you catch the queen bee ... and cut off her wings before you get stung. Trying to mend things later are hugely costly, both in terms of emotional and financial issues ... and may well alienate family members who were formerly friends. You haven't been able to come up with a pill that has even a possibility of turning a greedy person into a benefactor of charitable causes? Various religious enterprises have been making efforts toward such an end for millenia ... with limited success. Good wishes as you proceed with the actions that you feel are necessary to meet your father's needs: I hope that he can agree with the need as you go along, for it's unpleasant for everyone if such actions need to be undertaken when the elder is unhappy about them. ole joyful P.S. I have said for years that it makes sense for several seniors to find a home where they can live together, for it shares chores, meaning lower such burden for each, and there's social interaction, with the extra bonus that minds are kept from going to seed as quickly, plus shared costs of household, plus utilities, plus food, etc. will cost less than living singly ... and certainly far more than for them to go into either a residential or nursing home. It would make sense for them to pay for a homecare person to come in to do the heavy household chores, etc. The major benefit is, of course, that if someone takes ill, there are others on hand to provide immediate care, call for help, etc. - and quite likely have good judgement as to which course to follow. Not useful to have two, three or four, etc. move into one person's home - or that person will always feel that s/he's the untimate authority - "It's my home, remember!". Not a good idea to have only three ... or two will form a deeper friendship and the other will feel imposed upon - even ganged up on, whether that opinion may be somewhat justifed, or less so. But people say that it can't work - that they'll fight. Over someone's desire to move a chesterfield an inch or so this way or that, etc. - peanut stuff. It would need to be overseen by a congenial woman, who was able to mediate difficulties before they got out of hand, whom everyone loved ... and it'd be best if all of the residents/(inmates?) were so pleased with her that she had them eating out of her hand (metaphorically speaking). o j...See MoreSundowning
Comments (10)I can't really speak to your situation but I can sympathize. I work with dementia in an assisted living facility. The thing to remember is to keep Mom safe while she does her thing...whatever the thing of the moment is. In my facility they have activity centers, similar to what you see in preschools but with age appropriate items. Interactive themed items that people can come and go and use for stimulation...there is an old typewriter and some paper...some wood blocks and sandpaper...stuff like that...stuff to engage mom while she is restless. What comes to mind is maybe a shelf with random items that she can shop from, and a bag to carry it in...when she is done put it all back on the shelf. Make sure to LOCK doors if she tends to go outside, and make sure your local 911 has current info and photo if she were to get lost. Within the home you might??? be able to manipulate lighting to minimize this sundowning....See Moretelly2
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agotelly2
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