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My mother is in late stage Alzheimer’s. She is in a nursing home. We celebrated her 85th birthday with friends and family. She was laughing but still suffered from all the usual symptoms of sadness and agitation. Now two months later all she does is sleep they have reduced her anti-psychotic meds. She’s on a fluid diet only as she has begun to aspirate a bit and she still knows who I am. When I visit, I play music and hold her hand. She has limited speech as she seems to want to say something, but doesn’t make any sense. The words come out very slowly, and then suddenly one day she spoke to one of the nurses and said that I am her daughter, later she said she has a sore throat and then later the same day she said she was sorry for everything that she was putting me through. kind of spooky I thought because she could’ve never said those things two months prior

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This happened this week when I just had lunch with my mom. She has been nonverbal for months and mostly non responsive to my visits. I walked in for lunch Monday and she immediately started chatting away. Her eyes were sparkling and she was using her hands. After about an hour she tired out and slowly shut down. In that hour she shared a lullaby that she used to sing to my kids. I was able to video it. I dont know if this was a one time event. I see it as a gift and will treasure it.
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Reply to Arkh64
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Yes. Occasionally that experience will be mentioned here on the forum.

Plus I’ve had my own experience with family members suddenly chiming in with relevant comments.

One aunt started speaking after being nonverbal for months. PD with DLBD. Seversl months later she stopped again. The questions she asked/comments she made while she was speaking indicated she knew what had been going on.
Just unable to speak. In this aunts case, after being incontinent for a while, she jumped up off the sofa and said I have to get to the bathroom. She had no trouble finding it even though she was at her daughter’s home where she hadn’t been for months, maybe years?? My cousin called me asking did I want to speak to her mom. I was amazed.

There is much unknown about these diseases. I’m glad you were there when your mom spoke.
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Reply to 97yroldmom
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Yes, there are often breakthroughs of lucidity, and this is true of almost ANYTHING that affects the brain. This happens in cases where cancer has metastasized to the brain. It happens in almost all dementias. It happens in the dying when they are all but comatose to days, and then will say something absolutely lucid. The mind is just a mass of billions of electrical connections synapsing along. Think of it that wire. Wires all crossing and connecting in random ways, and suddenly a moment of a good connection.

It IS very disconcerting when this happens. Disturbing. Makes you feel that your loved one is somehow "locked in" to a nightmare from which they briefly escape to communicate with you. It adds to your general helplessness.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Animallovers Sep 28, 2025
Alva, I found your response very helpful in confirming something I wondered about from decades ago. My mother’s aunt was in the hospital, she was 82, for an ulcer and even though the doctors said she was physically improving she would not be able to live alone anymore. My mother’s sister arranged for her to move to a facility near all of us, but the loss of her independence really upset her. I was in my 20s and the one who visited her daily since I was self employed and could take the time. The day before we moved her we had the best conversation I had ever had with her! That night, before she could be moved, she died. I am grateful that I was the one she was able to share that with but I always wondered how and why it happened. It made the news of her death harder since I had hoped that maybe we could have more of a relationship when she was closer, but I will always see that day as a gift. Thank you for confirming it was not my imagination and my suspicion that it was related to her imminent death.
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Mom caught Covid at home from one of her caregivers. She survived Covid. Mom had not spoken in months.

Two caregivers were speaking at shift change about how they were concerned Mom might not survive Covid. Mom spoke up loudly and clearly, "I'm not going anywhere."
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Reply to brandee
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When my dad was happy he would burst into tunes from the 1920"s and 1930 "s Just sporadically started singing Lyrics and Music . Always amazed me that he could do that .
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Reply to KNance72
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My dad woke up one morning and asked where my mom was. We were all shocked, especially the doctors that thought he was going to pass away that night. I don't know how many months if not a year had passed since he had spoken. It may have been one of the last times he ever spoke.
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Reply to JustAnon
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Mjustice98 Sep 28, 2025
I always wondered if they get their faculties back long enough to cross over peacefully
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Even if someone is late stage dementia, it is never too late to ask for PT, OT or Speech/Swallow evals for care recommendations. PT and can help train caregivers on mobility, transferring, positioning, helpful equipment options, body mechanics and safety. Speech therapists can help you make food consistency recommendations and safe options for positioning while feeding. Sometimes families ask for Rehab and this can be misinterpreted as “for exercise”. We Rehab people are the best mobility, equipment and feeding experts around.
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Reply to Bodyphysics
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My father with alzheimers had been non verbal for about 2 years. But at bedtime he would hum/ sing to himself quietly as he was falling asleep. Aspiration pneumonia set in and he was hospitalized and put on comfort measures. One day we all happened to be there at the same time. Mom, siblings, myself..he asked us what day it was. We were all looking around at eachother in shock. He hadn't spoken in years. We said it's Wednesday dad...he blew us all kisses and kissed my moms hand. The next day he passed away. I cherish that memory. He basically kissed us all goodbye and passed the next day which happened to be a holy day. Ascension Thursday. I pray for your peace and comfort during this struggle. Cherish any nice visit with your mom
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Reply to MDR317
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Regarding swallowing issue. Spouse cannot swallow foods but dietary department prepares pureed food from menu of each meal. Liquids dangerous so a spectial thickening used to create liquid similar to consistency of honey as regular liquids a danger of choking. Surprised dr or nursing staff not addressed this issue. Please get help for this.
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Reply to Memories42
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Imissmymom10: I'm so sorry. Prayers forthcoming.
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