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I suspect this is happening, what can I do to comfort her? Mom is last stage Dementia. Bedbound, no longer walks,barely speaks, I do 100% of everything for her now. There has been some episodes lately that I question. On Thanksgiving she was doing the same condition wise. Within a hour, I honestly thought she'd past. Here breaths were very shallow and long pauses in between. She was cold as ice, and white as a ghost. She almost had a greyish look to her. Her face was severely drawn with her eyes half open. I tried to arouse her but she "wasn't there" She was limp, her arms moved freely even though she is normally contracted. and I tried to stimulate her pupils with a light but they were in a fixed state. I was going to call hospice nurse but really what would they do? To make a long night short, By morning she was better but more restless. This was really weird just trying to figure it out. There was no changes in medications lately just the same old, same old.

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I strongly suspect that you are facing a chicken and egg situation here. My wife has serious dementia which, according to her doctor, was brought on by an unknown number of mini strokes. So, which was it, the dementia brought on by strokes or strokes which were brought on by her dementia?
In a nut shell,, the answer in her case simply is not available. My goal is to continue to love her and to make her life as easy and comfortable as possible. We all remember that oath that we took when we went through our marriages. Living up to that promise is the best we can do --"Depends" and all.
There are certain symptoms of stroke. Your doctor should be able to explain them to you. In my wife's case, she will have a droopy left eye combined with an increase of her confusion. But, there isn't a damned thing that I, as her primary care giver, can do but see to it that she gets her meds on schedule.
Apparently, neither Evolution nor any other source of our existence gives a hoot about old folks. That's just the way it is. It is apparent that you are doing your best and that is all that matters. I wish you well. As a matter of fact, he is a lucky guy. Many spouses do not have anyone who really cares.
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Tears are in my eyes for you and what you are going through. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers! My mom is in the moderate stage of dementia and I can' t imagine how hard that is for you! :(
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Yes it's possible to have strokes at any phase of dementia. The last few years of my moms life (like yours with severe end stage dementia) she did the same thing. According to her aides, she was "time traveling" between the two worlds. Once I got over my initial fear, even though she couldn't respond when she came back to us I'd say- "Did you have a nice visit with the family" or "next time tell dad I miss him" and "glad to have you back". It made me feel better and calmed her down.
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Hang in there. Mini strokes can affect memory. Mini strokes can indeed have lasting symptoms.........not always and not always discernable.
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I talked to Hospices Nurse who was here other day. She said Mom might have had a mini-stroke since there was no lasting symptoms. However, since this "episode" moms anxiety has been elevated.
Mom has had deep sleep spells before which scared me. So, maybe this was just a severe deep sleep. I did call her Dr. which he has never returned my call yet. Her PCP is least desireable. Mom is so contracted I am no longer able to get her to sit in a WC to get her to dr. Hospice nurse was going to see if hospice dr will come out for visit.
I know mom will not live forever, but things like this really give me a reality check. And its scary.
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I would call 911 first and then ask your mother's doctor about the episodes. Best wishes, Chad
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You need to call the dr asap. She could be having a cerebrel hemmorage in her brain. What if she is in pain and cannot tell you, please get help.
My Mom sometimes nods off for 10 minutes in a chair and there is nothing that can wake her. Its an unusualt deep sleep! The first time it happened I thought the worst and then she popped out of it. IT happened to my caretaker and she called me frantic, but Mom popped out of it again with a smile. She also has nightly epiosodes of complete joy when we sing christmas songs and starts to make her legs and hands go to the best, its a quite unusual disease. I think its normal for them and their emotions are all over the place, but we never know but at least a call to the Dr is in the works for you for sure. Poor thing, good luck :)
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