Can dementia creep in, then get worse within a short span of time?

Karen:: Did you ever find the PDR? It's difficult to read, so perhaps you should just consult a good doctor.

My dad's dementia worsened quickly before passed away. He became angry, suspicious and violent, which was the exact opposite of his previous personality. The last two weeks were a nightmare for all of us. He then fell, broke his hip and died 5 days after surgery on the hip. I am just so glad he is not in pain anymore. I know this is not the answer you wanted, teriquet. I agree with the posters who suggested checking for UTI, as well.

I need help/advice with dementia. My father is in a hospital in Budapest (I am a college professor in Boston). He has some kind of dementia that is getting much, much worse very quickly. Has anyone out there heard of dementia/alzheimers that gets much worse very quickly, even day to day (or week to week)? Our father has refused to take the medical tests we need to him to take to acquire a diagnosis - -or he has signed the papers to take the test, and then forgotten or changed him mind/refused two hours later. When my brother flew there from the U.K. and tried to convince him to take the tests in person he told him to leave, that we don't show him respect and that he didn't want to see my brother again. He keeps trying to escape from the hospital almost every day. I am devastated and need help finding out what could cause such a quick mental decline/personality change. He is 78, diabetic (was just put on insulin last month) and is getting rapidly thinner, and his skin is a grey colour. We can't get him to take the colonoscopy but I have the impression that his body is not absorbing nutrients properly. Please help!

I need help/advice with dementia. My father is in a hospital in Budapest (I am a college professor in Boston). He has some kind of dementia that is getting much, much worse very quickly. Has anyone out there heard of dementia/alzheimers that gets much worse very quickly, even day to day (or week to week)? Our father has refused to take the medical tests we need to him to take to acquire a diagnosis - -or he has signed the papers to take the test, and then forgotten or changed him mind/refused two hours later. When my brother flew there from the U.K. and tried to convince him to take the tests in person he told him to leave, that we don't show him respect and that he didn't want to see my brother again. He keeps trying to escape from the hospital almost every day. I am devastated and need help finding out what could cause such a quick mental decline/personality change. He is 78, diabetic (was just put on insulin last month) and is getting rapidly thinner, and his skin is a grey colour. We can't get him to take the colonoscopy but I have the impression that his body is not absorbing nutrients properly. Please help!

N1K2R3,
Can I get to a PDR online as I don't have an actual book. I wanted to find some real people who'd tried it and reported on success or failure.

Karen,
My Mother is on the Exelon patch, 9.5 mg, which is the strongest. There is a 4 or 4.5 mg, too. She was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia about 3 1/2 years ago. We change it every 24 hours, she also takes Seroquel at night for sedation. The doctor wanted to put her on Namenda additionally, but I have learned to trust my intuition in many area of life, and TOO MUCH is too much.
I took her off other meds that she had been on for years and were starting to work in the opposite direction, (thanks to my own research and reading articles here on Aging Care about Detrol causing dementia or D-like symptoms!). She remains on Levothyroxine for her thyroid, and Nexium for reflux. She has been with me for 6 months after spending 1 1/2 years in a residential care home, where they drugged her so much for THEIR convenience, let her fall all the time, and yelled at her.
That's enough of THAT.
She acts better most of the time than she has in 20 years, when I suspect her dementia began to take over her Narcissism. She comes out smelling like a rose in every chapter of her life. More power to her, and to you all. Hugs, Christina

We have had doctors recommend a daily antibiotic, then others tell us they've never heard of such a thing and we must have misunderstood. Don't get it. There is a marked difference in Mom's behavior when she has a UTI.

I second the motion about UTIs. It's the first thing we check when Mother's behavior changes for the worse. She is on Nitrofurantoin DAILY, which is an anti biotic to PREVENT UTIs. Adjusting medications, getting enough exercise during the day, and getting good sleep seem to be major factors here. All the Best to you both.

Karen: I'm not familiar with the drug known as Exalon. You can check it in your P.D.R. Drug Reference Book. They'll mention the stats on usage.

Has anyone used Exalon with any success for mild to moderate Alzheimers? Is there any drug that is better than the others or any natural remedies that anyone has found to be successful.

This question should be directed towards her Neurologist ( a good one). Check: Vital Signs, Check: PULSE OX Check: Blood work.

My mom moved out of state to an ALF from living alone for almost 30 years..........Her dementia seemed to increase rapidly as did her anger and depression. She is now there almost 9 months and seems almost adjusted ..........however, her dementia has not improved but remained the same-----Change is hard for everyone and we each handle it differently and then combine the other problems of the elderly and it is a wonder they handle it at any level at all
I'd ask for help from the ALF and the aids---they certainly have more experience with these things than we do-------Hang in there and know that you are doing the best you can for her

You might also ask your mom's doctor if he thinks she is getting enough oxygen. We discovered that my mom needed oxygen after treating her for Alzheimer's Disease. I wish I had asked about oxygen a long time ago. My mom would seem to get better and then would seem to be a different person, sleeping more, confused, hearing voices and sleeping all curled up. Now at the very end of her life, oxygen has given her more alert time with her family.

Because she's in a relatively new environment you might be seeing the changes because it may be harder for her to adapt. All ALF's are not the same and some are more inclusive than others. Maybe in the other the staff did more for her and helped her get involved. Did/does she go to activities and who does she eat meals with? The new ALF may have a different layout that makes it harder for her to get to activities etc. I'd speak to the director first and see what advice they have. I'd also check to see that her meds are being given properly (and make sure that they are the right meds). Next step would be to take her to the doctor- she could have an infection that needs to be treated. Sometimes a "sudden decline" is just that, a sudden decline that would have happened no matter where she is. Sudden declines can and do happen over the coarse of this disorder.

Carol is right about change. it comes down to any kind of stressor can make it appear worse and then there may be a period of improvement when that stressor is 'digested'.
My mom went through a major stressor a little over a year before she died and I popped her into my bed and we watched tv together. When she slept it was in a fetal position and I too thought that this was it. She rallied and we went on for a few more adventures after that so don't lose heart!
Stay here with us and write out how you feel. That will do wonders for how you cope. We're here.
lovbob

I would also check for a urinary tract infection? They are quite common in the elderly and can cause confusion.

The change in location could be part of it, which does not mean this was a bad choice. Sometimes changes are necessary. However, people with dementia don't generally cope well with change.
Sometimes change can make things worse for awhile, and sometimes they never return to the place they were before the change (this is particularly frequent with hospitalizations and surgery).
Since she's worsened in the past few days, and the change is six weeks old, however, the change may not be part of the equation at all. She just may be at a turning point with her AD. I'd contact her physician and see if there's anything that can be done to help her. In the end, you may be seeing a new, deeper phase of the disease and you'll have to learn to cope with these new behaviors.
Take care of yourself, too,
Carol