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Odd behavior

moonie_57 (8 NC)

11 years ago

My mother, who is in assisted living and under Hospice care has had a couple of weird incidents. The first time they sent her to the hospital and she was a bit dehydrated. The 2nd incident has been occurring this week.

Although she answers all your questions, most of the time she just doesn't seem to be "with it". When she speaks, it's in a small whisper that you can hardly understand. She's not much involved in activities and can no longer feed herself.

Back in July, all of a sudden she began speaking aloud, playing bingo, including helping a lady that sat next to her. She just talked and talked, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Then suddenly she became almost in a zombie type state, and they sent her to the hospital. That's when they said she was a little dehydrated. Over a couple weeks time, she was back to her old self of just whispering, answering when spoken to, etc.

Now this week, she is once again all spunky and talking loudly, asking many questions about the family and such. Then today, she was hardly even able to open her mouth to be fed.

Has anyone experienced symptoms such as this? She has been diagnosed with dementia (possibly Lewy's Body) and Parkinson's.

I realize this is just a part of the disease but it's very unsettling. One of these times I'm afraid she's not going to come out of it and will no longer recognize us. Actually, I KNOW that will eventually happen, it's just the "spunk and down-slide" that is so odd.

Featured Answer

duluthinbloomz4

11 years ago

A urinary tract infection could be involved.

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Comments (7)

CA Kate z9
11 years ago
People with neurological conditions frequently have good and bad periods of time finally sliding into the bad forever. You say she has Lewy's Body Dementia and Parkinson's - which are neurological diseases. Has she been evaluated by a younger neurologist? (Sorry folks.... we had very bad experience with the 70 and 80 year old doctors who really hadn't kept up with the new diseases.) The outcome will probably be the same, but proper help can sometimes slow the progression.
jewelisfabulous
11 years ago
Besides consulting with a neuro, I wonder if she has meds that run out leaving her spunky/bright eyed until the next dose is given?
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CA Kate z9
11 years ago
Jewel: this would be a good question to ask your neuro... or maybe even the pharmacist.
sunnyca_gw
11 years ago
They may ask her if she wants a sleeping pill & if she says "yes" it makes her groggy & almost non- responsive. Check her meds to see that she is getting the right ones & possible she could get someone else's by mistake. Or they may have a change of brand as not all generics are the same. Same main ingredient but different fillers can mess things up. Dad got eyedrops for glaucoma & changed brands on him & all food tasted like metal. When we found out they weren't giving him right 1 problem went away. So might not even be a pill.
4thumbs
9 years ago
The first place I'd look at is her meds. WEbMD is my favorite. Use their direct link, as the app does not include reader reviews which can offer more information on unusual side effects.

Also, you mentioned something rather curious about her being dehydrated. Are staff making sure she has sufficient fluids?

I once visited a family member on the weekend and he was suffering from heat exhaustion due to insufficient liquids and monitoring by the lazy weekend staff.
Pea
8 years ago
If they are not giving her enough fluids it could to salt/potassium inbalance or a uti both can cause odd behavior in the elderly.

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