In a years time mom stopped speaking, barely walking now as well. Anyone else's parent declining this rapidly?

I would have her checked for a urinary track infection and see if they have done blood work to check her thyroid. My mother went to the doctor after a fall, she was weak, barely able to walk and not eating, turned out to be a UTI and they also did blood work. They doubled her thyroid medicine (she had only been on it the last couple years) and within a couple days she was walking again and hungry all the time, still confused but able to communicate. Just an idea, best wishes.

I would highly recommend that she not be by herself...if she is chasing you as you leave for work....she is scared. It's only going to get worst. With the dementia her brain is deteriorating and things are starting to go haywire. She will be afraid, have delusions, the body functions will shut down. Even her ability to swallow...which by far is the scariest thing for them. I'm sorry to be so honest...but being more aware of the disease will benefit you in the long run. There is a lady by the name of Teepa Snow you should watch some of her videos on youtube. She is so informative and it was very helpful to me to watch. She explains what's happening to your loved one and how to react in some situations. I sure hope for better days...but be prepared for the ride of your life. I know it was hard when i went through everything with mom. But I will say...I have no regrets.

Is she alone all day when you are at work? She needs a caregiver 24/7. Hire one through Home Instead or the like. Also, start pureeing her food with Thick-it so she doesn't choke anymore. Consider a NH if you can't hire a caregiver.

It sounds to me like she has dementia. Has she been diagnosed?

Vikilynn: While I know the progression of this disease is different in each case, my mom's condition a year ago was slight dementia and having to touch the walls for balance when she walked. In the last six months she declined in stages - she'd get worse, then better for a while, then worse, including falling and occasionally wetting herself. We managed to keep mom at home but that entailed 24-hour care for the last three months of her life.
In-home care is the best option, if you can do it or afford it. If not, and your only option will be a nursing home at some time in the future; keep in mind that the waiting lists are long and it's not cheap. We found out the best thing to do is wait until an incident occurs (a fall, etc) and then have your parent taken to the emergency room. From there the hospital can send them to a nursing home for rehabilitation, and Medicare will pay for it for a certain amount of time. We didn't have to go that route, but it is good to know ahead of time.
Good luck; I know how hard it is to cope with the situation, and I hope for the best for you.

Hit submit to soon.
Can I ask does your mom have an advanced directive? My mom had her DNR form made up 10 years prior to her diagnoses so we knew what her wishes were. She did not want any life sustaining procedures. So when she refused food she did not want a feeding tube. Hospice was so very useful at this point. They kept mom comfortable and pain free. If you don't already have them talk to her doctor and have her evaluated for hospice. Get respite when you can. Caring for someone with dementia is exhausting, take of you so that you give her the care she deserves. Good luck and God bless.

I vote for checking out possilbe UTI and also a thorough medication review. "Bent over constantly and chokes a lot" plus walking problems sounds like either Parkinson's disease or drug-induced parkinsonism. A geriatrician or better still neurologist with geriatric expertise could help you with this.

one of the most interesting thing ive read in the last year was if you are seeing decline in an elder monthly they likely have months to live. if you see decline weekly, they have weeks to live and when the decline is daily they only have days to live. pretty accurate in my experience. in one year my mother went from coherant and only occasionally delusional to shuffling footsteps, constant hallucinations, to barely mobile with a walker and finally terminal agitation and hospice induced coma and death. hospice does indeed hasten death dont let them doll it up for you. i dont disagree with it but once functions begin failing hospice starts dropping the morphine and ativan with no plans for you to ever awaken to the misery of the dying process. maybe they dont hasten death but they hasten the process. say goodbye and we love you before the liquids morphine and ativan begin cause thats the end of the line for communications.

A brain scan won't necessarily show her cognitive skills level. You are the best observer. My mother's decline was very fast too, and each person is different. If you do not feel as if you can handle the further deterioration, maybe it is time to look into a care facility. You say you leave her alone while you go to work? Not good. Patients with dementia need 24/7 care. Best wishes.

Yep, my Mother declined very rapidly Vickilynn. The last 2 months have been really bad and the last 4 weeks it was like she was in a coma. She lost her battle last Wed. I was at hospice with her for 11 days, they are truly great people, who have to be blessed to do what they do. We had started using a blender to puree Mother's food, that helped some. But I didn't get to hear her voice for the last 5 weeks. Be careful of nursing homes, just check them out really well if you can.

And I agree with 4th daughter, Mom went in to the ER after falling and they sent her to a rehab/nursing facility, she got a staph infection, cdip, uti and pnuemonia there, it was rough, but she could no longer walk, talk or eat so she needed that 24 hr care. I still question that move, and that was a top rated nursing home!

Good luck and God Bless You. Hugs.

I had the same problems with Mom after rehab. Changed her doctor and had full blood work up done and urine test for UTI. Rehab changed her thyroid meds and test showed it was wrong dose and she had a UTI. Two weeks later now and antibiotics cleared up UTI and thyroid regulated, she is almost back to normal. No hallucinations and crazy talk! A little confusion at night but WAY better. Please have your Mom tested asap.