My Mom had Dementia. There were signs before her fall but her decline went faster after she hit her head. That was 2011. By 2014 she was living with me. Then into an AL, 2016. Her decline was monthly. Money ran out in 2016 so placed in an LTC facility. Five months later she was gone.
It started with humming. Soft at first then louder and louder each day. She couldn't stay put. All over the place so they gave her something for the anxiety. From that point she went down hill. They had a hard time getting her out of bed, she fought them. So they let her stay in bed. She then couldn't swallow. We called in Hospice and she passed 6 days later. From the time of the humming it was about 2 wks, give a day or two.
The hospitalist said my mom was in last stage, but I don't think so because she would still smile and I had heard that they have a mask like face. She was, however, sleeping more and had suddenly ( like in 24 hours) went from speaking in short sentences to just jabbering. She was also seeing people, not just maybe one of two a day, but all through the day. Whether these were actual 'ghosts' or figments of her imagination, I don't know. I remember that my aunt, who had Alzheimers, also became non verbal - would shout out word that made no sense. She would sleep almost constantly. I imagine that it depends on what type of dementia, but we were never able to get a real diagnosis of what type.
Sighman with my mom it was a long, slow process, always downward but hardly noticeable week by week. She was already pretty much completely disabled and sleeping much more than she was awake while she was living with me and lasted another 18 months in the nursing home - during that whole time she barely spoke, couldn't sit upright without supports and moved very little on her own and except for meal times she mostly slept. One dear lady very similar to my mom was there when we arrived and still there after mom died, others predeceased her. (cr*p, I guess I should have posted that as a reply but eh, I suppose others may benefit from it)
With my Husband..at EOL (end of life) He slept more even though he had been sleeping 20 hours a day or more. His muscle tone was such that it was not as easy to get him up out of bed, even using a Hoyer Lift to shower him Urine began to get darker He stopped drinking and eating, about the same time. The secretions built up more and he had that "rattle" that is common
For more detailed info read a pamphlet you can gt on line called Crossing the Creek. It has a lot of great info. And keep in mind everyone is different. What I experienced might not be what you will.
If you are talking more about the stages that one goes through you can look on many websites for various stages. A person may be in one stage and not be able to do some of the things, but can do others so there is not a hard and fast line to draw for each stage. (if that makes sense)
Grandma1954 You just told me pretty much of what the doctors have just said. I truly appreciate your input and information sources. The telephone calls will come even if one of my daughters is with her. She has always called me a lot. Now, I expect it’s paranoia creeping in. She is and has always been very possessive regarding me, our home etc. With so many telling me she needs 24/7 care, I had to see her doctors. They said, between all of us, we will know when it’s time for someone to be there every minute. As far as her going to a MC place, she is not ready for that. I have great faith in her doctors. Again, thank you for your input.
My mother began sleeping 23 hours a day. It was like she was comatose. The last time I visited, a few days before she passed, three of us couldn’t wake her up.
Ahmijoy May I ask how long she was sick from initial diagnosis. My wife has probably had Alzheimer’s a lot longer than we knew about. I’m hoping she will stay where she is for as long as it’s possible. What is to come scares me. She is unaware and thinks it will just be a bad memory and some confusion. She has no idea where this disease goes. She did not want to learn about it when diagnosed. She has always been this way. Thanks for your input.
The people I've seen who make it to the final stage don't really have behaviours beyond agitated movements and/or vocalization, zombie would be an apt description. (I came back to add that my mom made it to the last stage so I'm not trying to be offensive, just realistic)
Cwillie You aren’t being offensive. I know what will come. Can I ask how long some of who you know of were sick, from diagnosis to end? Thanks for your input.
It started with humming. Soft at first then louder and louder each day. She couldn't stay put. All over the place so they gave her something for the anxiety. From that point she went down hill. They had a hard time getting her out of bed, she fought them. So they let her stay in bed. She then couldn't swallow. We called in Hospice and she passed 6 days later. From the time of the humming it was about 2 wks, give a day or two.
(cr*p, I guess I should have posted that as a reply but eh, I suppose others may benefit from it)
He slept more even though he had been sleeping 20 hours a day or more.
His muscle tone was such that it was not as easy to get him up out of bed, even using a Hoyer Lift to shower him
Urine began to get darker
He stopped drinking and eating, about the same time.
The secretions built up more and he had that "rattle" that is common
For more detailed info read a pamphlet you can gt on line called Crossing the Creek. It has a lot of great info.
And keep in mind everyone is different. What I experienced might not be what you will.
If you are talking more about the stages that one goes through you can look on many websites for various stages. A person may be in one stage and not be able to do some of the things, but can do others so there is not a hard and fast line to draw for each stage. (if that makes sense)
With so many telling me she needs 24/7 care, I had to see her doctors. They said, between all of us, we will know when it’s time for someone to be there every minute. As far as her going to a MC place, she is not ready for that. I have great faith in her doctors. Again, thank you for your input.
(I came back to add that my mom made it to the last stage so I'm not trying to be offensive, just realistic)