Is there any one factor that makes Dementia all of a sudden start progressing quickly?

Hi Nikki - I wanted to add a 4th reason (from Jeanne Gibbs post) that dementia can suddenly worsen. In my experience (husband has later stage Alzheimer's), dehydration is another reason someone can spiral downward suddenly. I push water constantly every day with my husband as it helps him with just about everything (balance, ambulation, cognition, etc.). He has to be changed more often, but it is a small price to pay for something that will contribute to even the slightest bit of his well being.

Dementia symptoms can suddenly worsen for three reasons:

1) The onset of an infection or other illness. Often the increased dementia symptoms come first.
2) A drug reaction -- wrong dose, wrong drug, wrong combination of drugs, etc. Usually this will show up soon after starting a new drug, but it could occur any time.
3) A progression of the dementia itself.

If the cause is illness or drugs, the dementia can get back to its baseline when the cause is cleared up. If this is a true progression of the dementia then the best you can expect is to change the treatment plan to try to mitigate the new symptoms.

Dementia progresses. Some kinds of dementia progress in a fairly predictable pattern, gradually getting worse. Other kinds progress in fits and starts, seeming much worse one day and better by afternoon and worse again in two days. But either way, the disease does get worse over time.

I am glad you are seeing her doctor in just a couple of weeks. Keep a notebook of all the ups and downs until then, so the doctor has a good picture of what is going on.

I am so sorry you are going through this. It is a hard journey. Your mother is lucky to have you by her side.

Nikki I'm so sorry for what you're going through. At least your mom has the sense not to try and walk the dog and the little furbeast is well and happy. I sense you're a very kind soul and Bella will always have a home with you, just as my mother's little minpin x jack russell terrorist has with me.

I truly wonder if even the doctors can get it right figuring out what is wrong with elderly people.m Personally I don't go to one unless something is dropping off lol

Please keep us updated. We're all here for you.

Definitely see the Neurologist and get a brain MRI or CT. If she falls or passes out you call 911 and get her to the ER, do not hesitate.

thank you everyone... appreciate the input.
I thought about it and I think it "might?" be related to her change in pills.... - you see, she was confused about "all the bottles" (she has 3... hello) but I said ok here we go; I will get you a weekly little pill box! Problem solved, right? wrong. This week has been hell.... she insists on knowing daily "what is the pink one for?" "What is the green pill for?" "How about the white pill?" Finally I just wrote her a description on a piece of paper so she could refer to it. I'd like to say, "Just TAKE THEM! The doctor prescribed them and I am tired of repeating myself every day" but I know that would upset her so I figured writing it where she can see it would work.
It didn't, because now she can't think which day she is on.
UGH!
So I am going to keep them in the pill box but I am going to have to "administer" (i hate that word) them to her... I'll just be there to see to it she takes them.
I think she either took them 2x in one day...
or didn't take anything at all for a few days...
I'm almost hoping that's all it is... It could certainly be enough to create an issue with an almost 91 year old woman who weighs 95 lbs...

Dementia is also brought on from Anesthesia during surgery. Sometimes goes away and sometimes not!

How about a companion to be with your mom 2-3 hours a day. That companion can remind her about the pills, Ensure, etc. We did that for our mom 3 years ago and it was the best thing we could have done for her. Yes, she fought us tooth and nail, claiming she "doesn't need anyone here - I'm not lonely, I'm not an invalid, etc.". However, once she met this companion/aide she felt much better about "letting her help me a bit". Mom loves her like a daughter; thankfully, she loves Mom like a mother.

As to weakness, dizziness, etc. -- once I paid attention to what Mom was eating, I realized it was all loaded with sodium. Not a good thing for someone with blood pressure over 200! So we revamped her eating habits, and now Mom is off all blood pressure meds because it is all within normal range.

An aide/companion will help you both tremendously. With luck, you might find a kindly, loving neighbor who would like to make a few extra bucks on the QT. Which would be a win-win for all involved. Good luck!

My mother has the dementia that often goes along with Parkinsons. Since having another stroke her level of dementia has increased rapidly. In the last two or three weeks she's gone down to having little reality at all. Prior to going into the NH no outsiders saw her as she really was as she could always pull it together for a time - showtime! I can only imagine the stroke caused such a rapid decline.

My mom went downhill due to dementia very fast from this last July till now. She was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus and refused shunt treatment at the time due to no promises of reversal, possible infection, and she just doesn't want any invasive medical treatment at 87. Saw her today in her beautiful residential care home. She participates but is very quiet (if she's not angry with the caretakers), refusing to eat, refusing pills, has broken her ankle and will probably no longer walk, after just getting a walker in August, and all this since July. Just amazed at the rapid decline. She is in good care and followed closely by doctors, but only so much can be done. She helped a lot with her taxes last year (the biggest event of her life for years) and thankfully doesn't realize it's tax season this year.

my 2 cents---the sick elderly patient always seems better at the doctors office.
i really like the suggestion of keeping notes for the doctor, so he understands your concern and sees the big picture. keep us posted