I stated in an earlier post that mom is refusing to eat and drink. She only will drink a few sips. Everyone said, that she is probably at the end stage. Why is she still pacing everywhere and on the go. I thought that in the end stages they can't even walk. Any one have any thoughts on this?
One of the most poignant things I heard in my caregiver support group was of a woman with dementia saying, "I miss me." She had Lewy Body Dementia which is characterized by great fluctuations in cognition. In a moment of good cognition she recognized how much of her self was no longer functioning. Not only did her family miss her but she missed herself, too.
WIth dementia we lose our loved ones one memory at a time, one function at a time. We grieve for months -- maybe years -- before they die.
Be gentle with yourself, Sujean. Make the best decisions you can, in love. And whatever the outcome don't beat yourself up from not making a different decision. Our best is all any of us can do.
My mother is in a nursing home, on hospice, with dementia. I join you in saying, "Oh, mommy I miss you!"
Hugs as this is all ahead of us.
The waving? My Mom wherever we go, waves at everyone she sees, in passing cars, you name it. I hope one day being friendly she does not wave at the wrong person! This is normal behavior for maybe a 3 or 4 year old? Maybe that is one way to determine stage of the disease? Just guessing.
How is she on the items on the list above other than mobility?
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When a person with Alzheimer's disease reaches the final stage, he usually displays the following physical and cognitive signs:
Unable to walk even with assistance
Requires total care with bathing, dressing, and grooming
Verbal skills are limited; the person may just be able to say a few words but is unable to have meaningful communication
May not recognize familiar faces
Incontinent of bowel and bladder
Poor appetite, needs cueing at meals or needs to be fed
It's important to remember that each person is an individual and may not experience all of these symptoms. However, these are the most frequent signs that a person is in an advanced or the final stage of a dementing illness.
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Hope this helps. My heart goes out to you.