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My mother is now in a home. She has Alzheimer's. My question is more of a curious one. I cannot have any kind of conversation with her any longer as she just doesn't seem to understand anything I say to her. She gets really confused. I'm not the only one that has noticed this with her. She also seems to be not eating much at all. She rambles on a lot about things that don't make any sense. The other day she was so upset because the kitchen help took her plate away from her in the dining room. She asked me why they took her plate and I told her because she said she was finished eating. She then said she wasn't finished. I didn't respond to that, then just a minute later she asked me what were they going to do with the plate. I said wash it. She then said she didn't understand why they would want to do that. I did not respond to her. This is very common/normal for her talking. She is so confused. I was just wondering when someone with Alzheimers is like this......how long can they last. Someone told me years (she is 93), and someone told me this is a sign she is really failing and they said she wouldn't last much longer. I hate to see her like this.

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No one knows how long someone is going to live. Not even a doctor. Your mom is up and eating in a dining room and I've cared for Alzheimer's patients who were curled into a fetal position, uncommunicative, for weeks with very little food or water. Everyone is different.

From your description it doesn't sound like your mom is "really failing," but her dementia will get progressively worse. When I worked hospice I had a patient who had Alzheimer's and he muttered all day. He was talking, sort of, but it was non-sensical, and I was unable to get his attention. He was in a wheelchair, his eyes were open, I could hear his voice but that was it. I couldn't reach him. Other than the Alzheimer's he was pretty healthy. He was in his mid-90s.

It's a horrible, horrible disease.
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I had two friends who had Alz... the first one recently died of Alz after being in a home for more that 17 years. The other died after less than five years. It just depends on the person and the advancement of the disease.
My daddy is in the first stages and I experience some weird stuff coming from left field.
I just go with it or shake it off, redirect or let him talk it out. As long as it isn't hurting anyone just go with it.
Blessings
hgn
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No-one knows as Eyerishlass says. My mum is probably stage 7 Alzheimer’s and has been in a home for nearly two years now but she was talking in muddled sentences long before she went in. Things deteriorated slowly and for the past year she has uttered only a word or two copied from what people say to her. However, in the past month or so she has been talking in complete sentences again. It is really baffling. Sometimes I think she hasn’t long to go then there is a turn around. Today, it looks as if she will go on for years yet.
Take care and hugs to you. It is very stressful watching their decline and can make us ill as well as them.
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I am sorry you and your mom are going through this. It is a heartbreaking disease both to the one who suffers from it and for the family members. What you describe about your mom being really confused and ramblings that don't make sense sound like she is just exhibiting symptoms of the disease. Yes, other people will notice. However, most sadly do not seem to understand it. Even those in the medical field don't always understand. How long can it last? I think possibly several years. During those years, we will see them get worse. I think duration depends on the overall health and physical condition of the individual. There are several sites that describe the various stages and estimated duration of dementia and alzheimer's that you may find helpful. Best to you and your dear mom.
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From time of diagnosis, my Aunt lived in an AL/NH for 12 years till the age of 89. She showed signs before this. Dehydrating herself. Big weight loss. When her sister went to take her to a Dr, my Aunt was still in her dirty robe and hair not combed so sister took her to the doctor like that. My Aunt had been a working woman. She had her hair done every week and well dressed. When the Dr. Saw her he was shocked. She wss sent for a 72 hour eval and it was found she had ALZ. Since she could no longer live alone and didn't want to live with her sons, she entered an AL.
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