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

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.

After falling some at home, my mom was still able to walk into the nh, but after a few months completely was unable to walk and then even stand. We think she had a mini stroke, but at 92, didn't want to put her through a MRI. They eventually needed to up her thyroid meds, but she's not on any AD meds, as they no longer help. The above suggestion about testing for UTI might solve some of her sudden decline. If not, I wouldn't waiit long to begin checking out nursing homes. Best of luck to you. ♥

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?

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.