The aide left yesterday morning my mom said good bye to her. After she went out the door my mother asked - Who was that woman? I asked her don't you remember Ana just washed you and got you dressed ? She said no she didn't. This morning we had just finished breakfast and she forgot she just had coffee. What is this any indication of not remembering what happened within the last hour?
I do all the things that you recommend every day! Good reply.
She was taken to the hospital by ambulance last month and spent the day undergoing medical tests which determined she had had a TIA. The next day, she had no recollection of going to the hospital.
My mother will be celebrating her 101th birthday in a few days. I am 71, and my husband is 76 so were are all senior citizens.
Be prepared and do not expect it to get better. The connections in the brain that cause this disease are not working. It is getting worse, as you can readily see.
More important, what are your plans for taking care of and assisting your mom? Is she living with you? Are you equipped to deal with her care? Is there a plan in place for the current time and the future?
Have you educated yourself and researched how Alzheimer's works and what damage it can do?
Lauren
My mother has been given about 12 cognizance tests over the years, maybe more. SLUMS, MOCA.........they're a series of questions that are asked and, based on the answers, a score is given to determine the level of dementia that's at play. The lower the number, the worse the dementia is. They're also asked to draw a clock showing a certain time; if they're unable, that shows a problem with the executive brain function. If your mother has Alzheimer's, that may show up on a brain MRI, but not always.
My aunt had Alzheimer's and passed away at 96. My mother has dementia, likely vascular, the neurologist wasn't too keen on figuring out which type, but Alz. was ruled out with an MRI, and is going strong at 93+. She loses her ability to speak clearly on a daily basis, it seems, and her memory worsens as well. She does have periods of greater lucidity, however, and it seems to coincide with good weather and if she can spend time outdoors. Her cognizance seems to go UP during those periods which can last for 2-3 weeks at a time. Dementia behavior and memory isn't necessarily a constant.........it can change every day.
Study up on the subject; watch Teepa Snow videos on YouTube, and learn what you can as far as what to expect moving forward. Look into Memory Care Assisted Living for her if things get too bad or too dangerous for her at home. My mom lives in one and she's beautifully cared for and quite safe.
Best of luck!