Hello Everyone,
Recently my mother had been diagnosed with vascular dementia. There are some nights, like tonight, where I can't wake her up no matter how hard I try. We don't know yet what stage of dementia she is currently in because the screening test has yet to be completed. We know she has vascular dementia based off MRI and CT scans, along with her behavior. She also has advanced glaucoma. It is suspected that she may also have Charles Bonnet Syndrome but with the dementia, I don't think there is a way to determine what exactly is causing all of her hallucinations. I honestly think that she already had dementia for sometime now but was function fine until she had her major stroke earlier this year. In the last month she has been talking to imaginary people and some dead relatives. Objects are constantly moving and she thinks that she is in weird locations without moving. She also suffers from sundowning.
My concern is that she has nighttime medications to take but she won't wake up to open her mouth to take her pills.
Any suggestions for how I can administer her meds safely?
Thanks,
Irecapat
Did you find out why she was so deeply asleep that evening?
Aside from the medication issue I would be concerned about her sleeping in the recliner, if she has been in it during the day and also all night she is in danger of pressure ulcers because there is no ability to reposition beyond perhaps changing the angle of the chair. I would change your routines and try to get her into bed earlier, perhaps directly after supper?
As one saying goes somewhat like this: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie... in other words do not wake them up.
Especially with dementia. How hard would it be to get her asleep again? Let her sleep. give her a pill when she wakes..
Honestly.. this disease is not fun, and it takes your LO out slowly.. As Nancy Reagan said, It is the longest Goodbye..
Pill or no pill, let her rest... if you feel the need to give her meds to give her body more time here, give it to her gently and nicely when she is awake..
I really did not understand a friend when he told me: death is okay..
It is a part of life, sadly...
With all that is going on here on Earth, all over... what ever you decide with your mom, know you are good. It is Ok.. Just know you are doing your darnedest best for your LO... Do not feel guilty if you miss giving mom a dose.
I worry about my friends with cancer. What is worse: the cancer or the cure?
I certainly am listening. It doesn't sound good about either one, cancer or the cure...
I truly know about cancer, dementia and ALZ.. Lions, tigers and Bears ! Oh my
Sometimes I do feel like I am in the Wizard Of Oz.
so be safe, be positive... waking mom up for a dose or not waking her up, is okay.. just don't give her 2 doses at one time... get on a different timeline.
What meds are you worried about her missing tonight?