What stage of dementia is when they will not talk?

My Mom is gradually declined, she need assistance with going to the bathroom, dressing and bathing; however when you fix her plate she can feed herself. She still talks but it sometimes doesn't make sense. I had to leave my home and go stay with her, while working. The important thing I learn is you can't take it personal when they fuse, fight you. Just remember how He or She use to be, and Love them and enjoy the time you have with them, good or bad. No it's not pleasant at all but, but I learn that attitude is everything. No, no one dreams of having to take care of your parents with Dementia, but think of it as sowing good seeds for your future.
My prayers are with you all.

#1......I am so sorry for everyone's loss. Disease is cruel and evil. Wamnanealz, don't feel bad or beat yourself up over wanting it to be over. I pray every day for my mom to be put out of her misery. I hate seeing this one time vital, beautiful woman sit in a wheelchair slumped over, not talking except for some jibberish every once in a while. She doesn't talk much and hospice has just started her on pureed food. She won't like it (my mother in law hated it) but we'll see if this helps her with her eating. #2.....As for the talking or lack of, it's really per person. Everyone is so different. As stated above I would have her dr. or facility dr. take a look at her and see if this is just the disease progressing or if hospice does need to be contacted. Again as stated in previous posts, sometimes it just comes and goes, goes and comes but she does need to be looked at to see what exactly is going on. Could be medication, uti, any number of things since they aren't able to articulate what is going on. Good Luck and God Bless....

Could have had a stroke.

What a terrible time for you; my husband of 44 years just passed and it is so heartbreaking when they go. I’m 82 and have had about 5 years of caregiving. What worked for me was to try the old adage of “walking in his shoes” and I realized I wouldn’t be as accepting of the problems as he was. Also, I tried to make special treats for him, and give lots of hugs. It worked for us altho I will tell you there were many times where I didn’t know how long I could do this. He fell a lot and couldn’t get around on his own but when the times comes, it will be comforting to you to remember that you did as much as you could for him. When it gets too much for you, ask your doctor about taking a medication to calm yourself. Many blessings to both of you.

She is entering her last stage it sounds like as the brain is shutting down her muscles which control the speech. Prepare yourself and know at 94 yrs. she has had a full life. Bless you and your family.

And this man was and is the Love of my life. We have been married for 38 years. I love him so much!

I really don't understand why everyone says embrace life. I am waiting and hoping for death. This is not life abundant! It is cruel, embarrassing, and humiliating to live this way. What pleasure for the caregiver? Yes he does enjoy his old movies that he watches every day! That is all he can do. Watch TV, eat and that's it. He can't talk so what else is there. He was very religious and loved to go to church, We can't go anymore because of extreme diarrhea, and he had forgotten what the "Host" was for! He didn't know what to do with it when he went up for communion. I had to guide him back to the pew or he would try to take the napkin from the wine steward at communion. Just humiliating! There isn't much left. How can one cherish this stage of AD. I just pray that the Lord will take him in his sleep before I have to put him in a home! I don't want to have to do that! But I recognize there will be a point where I will not be able to lift him or care for him when he is bedridden! I want it to be over! God forgive me, please!

My mom recently declined and dr at the nh says it's time for hospice.so I did. Hospice has been known to be helpful Providing they have enough nurses, social workers , cna aids to go around. A wheel chair had been specifically requested. Not just your ordinary one, the one that has a high back and reclines. Waited one week then hospice says it wasn't ordered after the request. It comes the second week and the non skid pad was not ordered. It's been 3 weeks. Mom is still with hospice but is showing signs of awareness and starting to sound herself. Her food intake is very minimal. Purée food the amount of a large baby food. She has disphagia. She gags when she's talking with small food in her mouth before she swallows. The aids at the nh as soon as she gags they stop. They are concerned of her choking. I am also concerned when that happends. I remind her to swallow and when she does that we are on to the next bite. The speech therapists says give the food as long as she is requesting it. I just encourage her to try to realize that when she doesn't gag it's because she is swallowing and not talking at the same time and all goes well. Before hospice stepped in my mom refused to eat and drink and refused her medicine. Now she is eating more than three weeks ago but refusing meds daily. She hasn't forgotten who her sister is and remembers people who speak to her on the phone. My question is my mom going thru phases of up and down of her life before it ends.

About four years ago, my mom did not talk for about a year. Then she started talking again, and sometimes wouldn't stop but much of it was her own language, which I learned to understand partially. Then she stopped talking again, in her final months. She died 7 months ago. But she experienced joy til the end. she still smiled, she still gave great,loving hugs. Never give up hope. Never wait for death. When it comes, you don't need to wait by the door. It will knock the door down with a vengeance. But until then, live each moment to the fullest. We did.

I guess I would wonder if this has come on gradually or suddenly.

My husband lost most of his vocabulary about 4 years ago. He only used two words in most of his talking. But when he gets mad he can throw out a big long sentence using expletives and it is grammatically correct! I think it is called dysphasia ! I get lonely because I have no one to talk to! But my friend who's husband talks her ears off, wishes he didn't talk so much!

I agree with everyone here. This sounds like end-of-life behavior. You've been fortunate to have her this long. If she is uncomfortable you may want to call on hospice. They can help make those last months or days much more comfortable.
Take care. Please let us know how you are doing.
Carol

94 years old. You are very lucky to have had her that long. I wish my mom would last that long, but I doubt that's going to happen. She's almost 86.

My mother-in-law just passed away two weeks ago, and that is how she was the last few days of her life. Hospice is wonderful if you want to get them involved. They can really help you. Bless you and your Mother.

What have the doctors/nurses told you? When my Mom stopped eating and talking the nurse told us to gather the family. My mother lived for about a week after she refused food. We talked to her, told family stories, laughed, cried and made sure she was comfortable. Best wishes for peace for your mother and your family.