How fast can dementia progress?

Alan, with my Dad who was in his 90's, any time he had a fall, which was more than just a routine tumble, that his memory was slipping away a bit more. Any major falls where 911 was called, his memory slipped even quicker.

For my Mom, apparently she was falling but not telling me, only times I knew of a fall was when my Dad called me saying Mom fell and he can't get her up. Two falls two weeks apart, each time she hit her head hard, right after the second fall she went immediately into final stage dementia. Prior to the falls, her memory was doing good for someone also in their 90's. My parents were living on their own as Mom refused outside help.

So I believe any time there is a major health issue, be it a UTI, a bad cold, or anything else, that can take a toll on one's body and mind.

Freqflyer, great comment! Any falls or blows to the head are not good for anyone, healthy or ill, young or old. They do seem to have the capability to trigger something that may have been absent or dorment. My brother had a head injury in 09, 3 months later signs of something not being right crept up, in 2011 we heard the "A" word. Doctors didn't think it, but it seemed way too coincidental. It does seem any illness, even a change in routine, can cause a set back, so we must investigate anytime our loved ones just don't seem right, a memory impairment makes it tough. It seems sticking to same old/same old is the best plan as well. We do the best we can as caregivers, loving & caring on the top of the list. Blessings 🌸

A couple of thoughts, a head injury could trigger multiple myaloma MM which requires an oncologist. When doctors cannot communicate on any subject, they do not have answers. The medical profession is like all of us, at a loss to respond as they are frustrated. To tell a patient or family member they are going to die its best they keep silent. AD is like leprosy, need to isolate patients. I have suggested we isolate AD patients and do more than separate them from the population, study them and help with some remission to keep them alive longer, as long as they are not in pain. We have got to do something as these dementia diseases are robbing us of our loved ones. I have been proposing a Dementia Only Hospital on deaf ears as Medicare will not pay to prolong life, waste of money.

Thanks Janet4834 for sharing your personal side of the "story"! It's always nice to hear what others are experiencing and what they think about in private. You sound like my mom. She can tell me her fears, worries, etc. When she gets forgetful, either her or I will make a joke about it and laugh.  It feels so good to have those moments of laughter with mom but I do realize it bothers her too. It's important to me that I know how she's really feeling inside so I can be of best support....I put myself in her shoes. Mom is very proactive in her self care, always has been. She loves puzzles, brain games and reading, which seem to help her with her effects from multiple TIAs. My dad (stroke etc)is the total opposite.
Very interested in hearing from you more here...I've learned so much from others experiences and feedback given from those who have been there and done that!!

Wishing you the best janet4834!!💜

Have they done an MRI of the brain and PET?
All dementias progress differently in each person, but this rapid decompensation makes me wonder about (pardon, I may have the letters wrong) HPB (I THINK) it is a form of pressure in the brain, and I think it is relieved by a spinal tap to drain a bit of fluid.
I hate to sound so ignorant, but it has been over a decade since I looked into it, but I am sure a quick google search will lead you to the information.
Make sure you get a second opinion - and fast!

My fathers rapid mental decline was from UTI and Kidney failure.. I don't think he ever had dementia,, I really don't,, forgetful yes,, but nope ,, not dementia

I found that when my mother went into a nursing home she declined a lot because she was out of her routine and they put a diaper on her during the day and just let her wet it. I never had a diaper on her and had her go to the bathroom every so often to keep her in a routine of how to go to the bathroom. Check if they put her on any new medications. Nursing homes frequently put dementia patients on chemical restraints to control them and zone them out. It happened to my mother several times and when I had her taken off of it she went back to the stage she was at, otherwise she would have been drooling in a chair the last 5 years and they would have told me it was a progression of the disease. Meds impact behavior and mental capabilities drastically.