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7 The Seventh and The Last Stage of Alzheimer’s dementia

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Seven-Levels-dementia

The Last Stage of Alzheimer’s

If you’ve read the 7 Stages of Alzheimers, you realize there are obvious degrees of decline through this disease. Sometimes the decline is exhilarated by a hospital stay, a surgery, a particular medication, anything out of the ordinary. But the normal progression of this disease is to the last stage of Alzheimer’s or,  Stage Seven.

Then there is a total disconnect between brain and body. The patient takes to there bed and is unable to function in any way, as though regressed to the stage of a newborn baby without thought to eat or fend for themselves at all. One of Mom’s physicians told me that the memory unwinds in exact reverse to how it was recorded. The newest memories disappear first and then it works it’s way backward.


I certainly saw this in my Mom’s case. She forgot her second husband who had only passed away a few years before.  I didn’t even realize it until she was flipping through a photo album and found a picture of the two of them. I was so stunned when she pointed him out and asked me, “Who is this man?” Then she forgot all of his children and grandchildren and that part of her life was gone before she began to forget her natural grandchildren, forgetting the ones whom she hadn’t seen in awhile first. The old saying: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” does not hold true with Alzheimers. They always forget the ones who have been absent in their life first. They might remember their name, but if they see them, they don’t know who they are.

Eventually, Mom knew my name, Sandy. When I came to the “Group Home” where she lived, she was happy to see me as the nice lady who visited her, but she had no concept of what the word “daughter” meant.  No sooner would I arrive home than my phone would ring with Mom on the line, demanding to speak with her “daughter,” cursing me and complaining that I had abandoned her because I never came to visit. Those incidents are very disturbing and most unbearable for the caregiver and family member.  And so it goes– backward through their memories as all memory slowly disappears and they have nothing but confusion before they are finally bedridden, sometimes unable to walk or feed themselves.

Many Alzheimers patients never see this late stage, the end stage of Alzheimers or Dementia. Usually quite elderly by the time this stage is reached,  often, other physical symptoms or disease may occur and end their life before Alzheimers takes its toll. Until then, the mind unwinds just as it was wound in the growing years (the most current memories disappearing first and a large eraser working its way backwards through the history of their life.  There are no more current events. By the Sixth Stage, no matter what we discussed or where we went or who came to visit her, in the blink of an eye…it never happened.

My mom did not progress to the Seventh Stage but became ill with another disease and passed away during her Sixth Stage of Alzheimers. It was almost a relief to know that she would suffer no more of  Alzheimers Indignities.

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 Alzheimer’s Diet Chicken Soup Heated Throw Wheel Rollator Relaxing Classical Non Slip Skid Night Light Sensor Depend Underwear

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Comments

  1. My mom is in final stage. I’ve been disappointed with her caregivers and hospice. They don’t seem to pick up on mom’s cues like I do. And when I call them in to assess her they always say she’s “fine”. She’s not fine, and I can see by her face she is often uncomfortable or in pain. They leave her sitting up in the wheelchair for too long so that by the time I get there to feed her lunch she is falling over to the side and uncomfortable.
    I noticed she was coughing after drinking smoothies I make her. It was the kind of cough you make when something goes down the wrong pipe. I was afraid it was causing pneumonia. I called hospice at 10am and they didn’t send anyone until 2am…14 hours later!!!! I was so mad it took them that long.
    I am so tired of feeling like I have to follow on the follow up all the time. They are getting $10,000/month to care for her I would expect things to be much better than they are there. I am just exhausted emotionally and physically. My siblings live in different states and rarely come to help.

    Reply

    • Oh my goodness Paula. I know how you feel. That is very sad.
      I don’t know if they have these in your area, but when I was thinking my Mom needed more care than I could handle. I found the most wonderful home that is only 1/2 mile from me and I could visit every day.

      The funny thing is, I learned about this from my mailman. He always stopped and talked to Mom and I mentioned that I needed more help with her. He pointed down the block and said at least your close by. ?? What ?? Then he told me there were several homes right in our neighborhood.
      Sure enough, I found one just a few blocks away and oh my goodness they were great. They only had ten rooms. I waited several months before they had an opening for Mom. But it was well worth it. She stayed there for almost 3 years.

      They are called “Group Homes.” They are all over our city and probably yours too. You can go inside and visit, or stay all day. Mom was so close it was like a second home.

      Activities were available every day, a huge Television, Beads, Toys, etc. A huge back yard where Mom could sit under a tree or dig in the garden. Most days Mom was digging. She loved planting flowers. Mom and another lady became best friends and did all sorts of crafts together. Neither of them could remember the other one’s name, so they just called each other “friend.”

      Once a week the hair dresser came, another day a doctor came to trim everyone’s toe nails. The owner brought her dog at least once a week and those ladies were so excited when that dog came jumping and barking. They would squeal and beg to have their time with the dog. He would run from room to room and greet everyone. They loved that puppy.

      What everyone loved most was when the laundry baskets were situated in the living room. They all came running with there walkers and shouting what they would fold! Everyday someone received 50 cents as the bet folder. And they got serious when it was folding time. They loved it.

      Believe me, there are nice places for those with Alzheimer’s. Just look around. Check out your neighborhood. There may be some Group Homes just a few streets away.

      Sandy

  2. Hi All, I believe my grandmother is in stage 7 of Alzheimer’s disease. Her and I are very close and it breaks my heart. She has round the clock caregivers in the home she was placed over a year ago, as we had to sell the home and move her somewhere more to adapt to her needs. She is completely dependant if her caregivers, she cannot do anything on her own anymore. She doesn’t speak, is losing weight, in a wheelchair, no mobility. She was on purée food, and that is now too hard for her to swallow, she often pockets her food and forgets to swallow and the chokes. Lately our caregivers have been mashing the food into a broth texture and although she will slowly swallow it, it will take over an hour to finish a cup. She is sleeping the majority of the day, stopped talking, and her jaw is caving in. She is pale, and has a very low hemoglobin, as she is very old as well. I know the end is in sight, but when we think it is, she bounces back a bit. I know she is suffering and it’s unbearable to watch but she has the most amazing care. Lately also her blood pressure spikes high randomly, they put her on low blood pressure meds but I’m sure at this stage it won’t help. She has a DNR signed, as well as no feeding tube. She is well in her 90s, it breaks my heart. Does anyone know how this ends in a case like this? As I mentioned she is also quite pale, but stays hydrated daily somewhat.

    Reply

  3. Hi all I’m not sure what stage my mother is at but I think it’s 7,she has been in a care home now for almost a year she can no longer walk she talks a little she is not great at swallowing now,the care Home don’t want to confirm with me so I’m lost but they did tell me to get the DNR in place which is do not resuscitate (absolutely gutted) my mom had a episode on Sunday and they had to clear her air waves for her to come back round if anyone could clear this up for me

    Reply

    • Peter, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. There is no way to know for certain, what will take them. They may have a heart attack or other illness. My Mom was able to walk and talk but passed away fairly soon after a diagnosis of cancer. Even in the later stages, there’s no way to know for sure. They do forget how to chew and eventually swallow. The nurses probably have that in mind.
      If I were you, I’d have a long talk with her physician and see if he can explain these final days more properly. Our prayers are with you, Peter. I remember the sadness of sitting near my own Mom. Take care.

      Sandy

  4. Hi Mark. My name is Patty. I worked in a Alzheimer’s facility for 6 years as a care specialist. To answer your question, No she will not know she is hungry. Eventually quit eating, but they dont know, actually they are starving. This is the last stage when usually they go ahead and call hospice in to keep them comfortable until they pass. God bless you and give you peace of mind. My Dad died of Alzheimers, and now going through it with my Mom.

    Reply

  5. Thanks for this. I believe her doctor is wrong about her stage. He says medium, but for the past 6 months i have seen her decline quicker. The last 3 have been worse. She sometimes does not recognize me, says my brother has not been around in a week or 2 but in fact he would be with her 3 days that week while i work. Tels her sister “that man is mean to me”. Her attention to somethings is long like the dog. But when talking to her some times if not most she cant recall 10 secs of the last part of the conversation. Today my brother said her car was in the wrong parking spot. I have told her time and time again not to get into the car. But last time we discussed taking the keys away, i was called alot of bad names i will not repeat here… thanks

    Reply

    • Tony,
      I do understand. Everything you’re going through, I saw with my Mom. I’m not that far along myself, but I will tell you my husband took my car keys 2 years ago. I through a fit and complained to high heaven. But folks with dementia should never be driving. They can take many other lives besides their own. I took my mom’s keys and told the car was in the shop. They might ask for it a million times but it’s better to lie than to see them mangled in an accident. (Just my thoughts on folks with dementia driving)

      I don’t think physicians like to state a certain level. Actually it can be quite confusing. Some days they may seem fine and the next they don’t know your name. You really can’t tag exactly what stage they are in.

      You know how she behaves, and you learn how to cope. It makes no difference which Stage it is. I know it’s tough. If you can find a support group, it would be wonderful. It helps to talk to others who are working through the same thing.

      If you have a computer there are many good Support Groups on Facebook. Believe me, it helps to share.

      Take care Tony and visit often.
      Sandy

  6. My husband has Alzheimer’s and has been through all the stages. In September of last year I placed him in a VA nursing home. In the past year he has gone from the beginning of stage 7 to fully in stage 7. The last few months he has had trouble with eating and was put on mechanically altered food then got aspirated pneumonia and 3 weeks ago put on pureed food. The Dr at the hospital recommended I call in Hospice and so he was sent back to the nursing home under Hospice. He is eating pureed food and thickened liquids to prevent aspiration again and seems to be doing good with that. He hasn’t walked since he had a fall earlier this year, he doesn’t take care of any of his hygiene, he only talks nonsensical for the past 2 years except for sometimes a single moment of clarity, he has to be fed. He does nothing on his own except open his mouth and swallow food. He has early onset so is still in this 60’s. I have read about what to expect in the final stage but I know it still doesn’t totally prepare you. I live on high alert every minute not knowing when the call is going to come that he is in trouble. Any thoughts on how to deal with the stress? I was going to the nursing home to feed him every meal because I was afraid they wouldn’t do it right and he would aspirate again, but I have backed off from every meal to just 1 or 2 and trusting them. It is still so hard. I pray for God to just take him sometimes and put him out of all the indignities he is going through, but then I start thinking what would I do without him because I have been caring for him for almost 9 years now. I don’t want to do this any more, but I don’t want to lose him either. Does anyone else feel totally confused over their feelings?

    Reply

    • I do. Some days are worst than others. My husband was diagnosed at 62, he is 70 now. It hurts to see such a bright mind go to waste. He was a Computer Engineer now he can work the TV remote. He goes through his love and hate moments. He knows who I am sometimes. Refuses to go to the doctor, refuses medication, he spits out any pill you give him. I’m still caring for him at home with my son’s help. It is so hard sometimes. Nursing home cost is so expensive and I dont know what I will do when I cannot care for him any longer. We been married 38 years. But when I see him struggling with getting dressed or other simple tasks it makes me so sad. It is a difficult road. He gets combative at times for no reason whatsoever. Only my faith in God helps me not lose my sanity.

    • I took care of my Mom and I can’t imagine caring for a spouse. That is so difficult.
      Bless the Caregivers who care for a spouse with Alzheimer’s.

      Sandy

  7. This has been enlightening reading all of the many comments about this terrible disease. My mother is in the final stage of alzheimers and what I’m reading sounds all too familiar as far as what she is going through. One thing different that I haven’t found from anyone else is that I don’t believe my mom can see anymore. She rarely opens her eyes and when she does, she opens them very little and they roll. She hasn’t spoken in about a month now and hasn’t walked for about a year. She rarely lifts her arms and she has to be fed by someone. It takes about an hour to get her to finish her food and my father refuses to have it pureed. We know it’s close to the end but it so very difficult to watch. I miss my mother terribly.

    Reply

    • Oh Laura, all my thoughts go out to you. I remember when I had the same feelings with my Mom. Bless you for your patience. Yes, this is the absolute hardest stage when they have Alzheimer’s, especially for the family and loved ones.

      Take care of yourself,
      Sandy

    • My mother in law is always hungry and will eat anything we feed her. I have to watch her closely because she wants to over stuff her mouth and doesn’t chew thoroughly and I’m so afraid she’ll choke on or aspirate food. She cannot walk on her own because she can no longer stand on her own without falling over. She still talks; some days more than others. She speaks clearly although very often she uses the wrong words so the result is a complete sentence that makes no sense whatsoever. I find this disease to be a cruel slow death and the only consolation I find able to give my husband is that at least she doesn’t understand what’s happening to her. I do wonder sometimes though, how long does she have to live like this? She has no other medical issues so the road ahead seems long and agonizing for everyone.

    • Oh Yvonne, You and hubby are blessed for caring for her. I know what you mean. To watch someone in the final stages can just break your heart.

      One day my Mom (who knew none of her adult children) burst into tears. When I asked what was wrong, she said, “I’m such a horrible Mother. I can’t imagine what a horrible mother I am.” I hugged and asked what made her think such a thing.

      Then Mom says, “Well I abandoned all of my children because I don’t even know who they are. I don’t know how they know me. I didn’t raise my own children,” and she was crying again.

      Their thoughts are filled with confusion and heartbreak. They have no clue what is happening to them.

      My Mom did best when she stayed busy and occupied.If you can find activities that she enjoys, it helps to lift their mood. Since she can’t walk, you might try giving her a baby doll, or coloring books. My mom loved to color. And she loved Bob Barker. They like TV best if there is no story-line to follow. Many things can keep their mind occupied and she may forget about over-eating also

      You and your husband are the best! it’s a difficult thing to be a caregiver. Bless you for all the kindness to your mother-in-law.

      Take care,
      Sandy

  8. My mom is in last stage Alzheimer’s..she is not really eating and we are struggling with the idea of a feeding tube..she also has had pneumonia twice in the last year..how do you know when the end is near…do late stage Alzheimer’s patients feel hunger..i just want to prepare myself for what to expect..also what is the criteria for bringing in hospice

    Reply

    • Mark, The aboslute best person to ask about end-stage, is your Mom’s physician. The eventually forget how to swallow so it is very difficult for them to eat. I’m not sure about the hunger but I do know my Mom never asked for food. And she did push it away most often during the late stage.

      You might share your thoughts with her physician. In my Mom’s case, the doctor recommended hospice and set-up a meeting for me with their group. Your Mom’s physician will probably help you with all those things.

      Thanks for stopping by Mark, hope you join us often
      Sandy

      Glad you could stop by Mark

    • Mark – I would not do that, but like Sandy says you should ask her doctor. I just lost my mother recently in Stage 7 Alzheimers. I thank God that I had Hospice there to provide Home Care guidance. The hospice guidelines for me where the End Stage Alzheimer’s, inability to sit up without being braced, the pocketing of food in the mouth, and coughing after eating. I was lucky that God allowed my mother to eat a little up to the very last day, although it was just pudding and Ensure, it was something. I found two important lessons. One, when you think there is some clarity, the plastic spoon with baby food is narrowed, not just round. A narrowed spoon helped me better manipulate small spoons of pudding into her mouth. As they get later into Stage 7 you need to watch they don’t try to bite the spoon, so you need to make sure you are using a narrowed metal spoon at that point.

      Hospice was a blessing and helped me give her medication to keep her comfortable to very last moment. You should call them right away.

    • Thank you so much Jeffrey for your hints and ideas about late stage Alzheimer’s. Narrow spoons and pudding are wonderful.

      I have to agree with you, my Mom had hospice during the last couple weeks too. They were wonderful with her. And I have much appreciation for the gentle way they cared for Mom.

      Thank you for commenting on a tough job that we must do,
      Sandy

    • Hi my father has recently forgotten who his children are. He still walks but falls down allot. What stage does this sound like ?

    • There is no way to know the exact stage your father might be in. But the later the stage the more they forget. Some do have difficulty walking or keeping their balance. It is very helpful to have a walker to hold on to.
      The best thing to do is assist your father in loving who you are now. I remember the last year with my Mom; She would refer to me as the nice lady who visited her daily. Yet, as soon as I got home, she would call and berate me as a difficult daughter who didn’t come to see her Mom. She recognized my voice, but not my face. I would assure her that I would visit in a couple days, and she was happy with that.

      Then I would visit the next day and I was her friend again. We do what we can to make their life peaceful and pleasant. I had many wonderful days of just being Mom’s best friend.

      Take care Jason,
      Sandy

  9. I have been truly struggling with this with my mother in the 7th stage of Alzheimer’s. Despite all of the information it can be very unpredictable. But the hallmark was both the increasing amount of neologisms in the speech making conversation very difficult and the loss of independent ambulatory problems. I will come back and more on this later. However, one other aspect to consider is that the brain damage by Alzheimer’s Disease may cause them to forget how to make a bowel movement at the much later stages. This is what it is so important not only to keep them regular with prune juice, liquid stool softener, and give fiber in liquid, but also to have a competent nurse check to make sure there is no fecal impaction after no bowel movement for a few days. You may think you know, but you don’t really. The 7th stage is very very difficult and so little written about it. Alzheimer’s Association’s Rowena Rye also wrote Especial for Caregivers: Late Stage Care. A lot of good context there.

    Reply

    • Jeffrey, You are certainly correct. When my Mom was in the last stages, it was the most difficult for me. When she stopped eating, that broke my heart and eventually, they forget to swallow.

      You are probably right. Not many articles as we all are so disturbed by the ending with this disease. We can only hope there is a cure one day in the near future.

      Thank you for mentioning things we don’t like but as a caregiver, we need to know.
      Sandy

  10. My mom is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease she has a urinary tract infection about once a month and becomes angry to the point she talks on and on 3-7 hours. My question is how man urinary tract infections can she have before it become dangerous.

    Reply

    • Hello,
      Oh that is very sad. I do remember my Mom having urinary infections as well. I’m not sure how dangerous they are over time, but I would certainly mention/ask her physician. He should be able to let you know about that.

      Something that might help. I believe it helped my mom. Many many years ago a doctor who cared for my mother-in-law told me that elderly women don’t always wipe properly so they may need some type of spray bottle instead of regular wiping products. I took a large, empty shampoo bottle, filled the bottle with warm water and my mother-in-law used that warm spray of water instead of wiping after urinating.

      My mother-in-law didn’t have Alzheimer’s but was still plagued with numerous urinary infections when she was older. It helped her back then, so when my Mom began to have the same urinary infections while having Alzheimer’s, I once again tried the
      “shampoo bottle wash”       for my Mom as well. And she never had another
      urninary tract infectionnfection.

      I can’t guarantee it, but it’s sure worth a try. I hope it helps Claudia.

      Sandy

    • My mom has this issue also and it was suggested that she use D-Mannose. Since we have been using this supplement she hasn’t had a urinary infection.

  11. Sandy, as they say in the Hindu scripture Bhagwat Geeta, that with old age the body starts to deteriorate because the soul has to ultimately leave this body to acquire a new one. I don’t know if that’s true or not. Your story is very touching and I can only imagine how hard it must’ve been not to be recognised by your mum. Although very sad indeed, maybe it was for the better that she didn’t have to suffer anymore. You’ve put it beautifully – “the Indignities of Alzheimers”. God bless.

    Reply

    • Hello Arjan,
      You speak Wise words. It’s difficult to think that at the time, but you are right. It is a relief to know the suffering is over.

      Thank you for visiting,
      Sandy

  12. Sandy, what an important site you’ve created. There are SO many people dealing with Alzheimer’s and now they have a place to go to gather information.

    I cared for my 95 year old Mom for 5 years until her death. I only dealt with very minor dementia – dementia might not even be the right word. It has not escaped me of how very lucky I was to care for a woman whom I dearly loved – and she loved me right back.

    My hearts are with all of you who are dealing with Alzheimer’s. You’re special people. Lori

    Reply

    • Thank you Lori, for stopping by and reading– I enjoyed reading about Gertie, as well, at your site for seniors (goodgiftsforseniorcitizens.com)

      It’s a challenge to care for any senior, with or without dementia, but so rewarding and with so many sweet memories afterwards.
      Some of the memories that upset me the most while caring for Mom make me smile the broadest now.

      ~Sandy

  13. We are living in my in-laws home. My wife is a CNA and is assisting my mother-inlaw in her dads care. We think he is stage 7 and we have been there for a year. Fortunately our own home is only 7 miles away so we get there fairly often.
    It was a large leap we made and there are clear days still when he is verbally grateful to my wife

    Reply

    • Norm, You and your wife are surely sweethearts. It is very difficult to care for elderly parents but a most gratifying thing to do if you are able. I’m certain they are for ever grateful for your wife’s knowledge and caregiving.

      Keeping your own home is certainly a plus. Too often, children give up everything to care for parents, then become bitter. Your situation sounds like a good one. Caring for parents but holding a retreat. A good idea. Everyone needs some respite and rest from daily chores.

      All the best to your in-laws and wife on this endeavor.
      ~Sandy

  14. I work in long-term care facilities, with persons who have dementia. I have to say that I do enjoy working with these folks who are in the latter stages of the disease, and continue to learn a lot from them. By this final stage, they are unable to speak, but they do so often communicate with us in other ways. I like to say that they can no longer speak our language, but we can learn to speak theirs. For instance, I have had a woman squeeze my hand when I sang her favorite hymn, or lean toward me slightly as I fed her. As for not remembering family members, I have seen individuals who may not remember that a person is her daughter, or even remember that she has a daughter, but she will instinctively know that this person before her is someone special to her, and will react just a little bit differently with her than with anyone else.

    Reply

    • Jami,
      You are so right, Jami. My Mom had no idea what the word “daughter” meant. She just knew that she liked me and I was important to her. It’s almost a

        special kind

      of love they give to us…..”just because.”

      ~Sandy

  15. Apparently, they found the protein that causes alz. so that is a great sign for future improvements to this terrible disease. I would like to let people know about nootropics are their wonderful effects in reducing alz. symptoms. Nootropics are not alternatives to traditional alz meds. like Galamantine however, they have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms.

    Some nootropics have been studied in alz. patients. Piracetam is one that showed positive results. The other very interesting on is noopept. Noopept for alzheimer’s showed some positive results.

    Reply

    • Thank you for this information, Mark. I have no knowledge of this product but did check to learn that it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States or by the European Medicines Agency for use in Europe.

      I certainly want my readers to be aware and cautious.
      ~Sandy

  16. My Mom has this dreadful disease. I believe she is in the moderate stage but quickly going to the severe stage. She cries and wanders in the house all day long. She has no knowledge of her grandchildren and most of her children. Me, her daughter, is the nice lady that comes over and loves on her. I can handle that, as long as my mother is happy in my presence. Today I received a call from the caregiver that visits her. She is declining and they fear she will wander off. She can no longer hold conversations, cannot bath by herself, cannot cook, and cannot dress herself. I know 2013 will be a bad year for us. It will also be the year that my mother needs to go to a home. It is hard on the caregivers but I don’t care about me, I care about my mother. All I want is peace for her. I pray for a cure for this awful disease. My heart goes out to all who suffer with this disease and those that are caregivers to those suffering.

    Reply

  17. My mother is in latter stages of dementia/alzheimer’s. She has very verbal days and days where she does not talk a lot. She fell and broke her hip/or the hip broke and she fell/the femur a year ago. She is now wheelchair bound.

    We were not sure about surgery, but were convinced it would help her pain and help with her handling. She has made it a year now, but iS wheelchcair bound for good. I thought the whole hospital experience was pretty amazing. She was the most talkative and clear she has been in years after anesthesia. Whatever they gave her was some good stuff!

    She did suffer a decline in her eating abilities for some time after, but is now able to eat on her own and has been for some time. The latest disturbing development that I noticed a day after she was found on the floor/trying to leave her bed..is extreme and pretty constant teeth grinding. It is horrible. She gets in this strange mode where she is talking while eating and seems to want to eat anything..fingers,bib that is near her mouth.

    She kept her eyes closed through a lot of this. This was one day after her fall. Immediately after the fall the was very talkative. I say fall, but it was not so much a fall as having made her way down toward the end of the bed to the floor. She scraped her arm badly, but other than that seems okay. She was determined to go somewhere anywhere. Pretty anxious.

    They gave her some lorazipam, but it did nothing. She just could not settle down. I finally left her at supper time still talking up a storm. I waited till she was out of bed and back in her chair before I left. she never ceases to amaze me though. Just when things seem at their worst she springs back. I hope she does not have to suffer through the last stage of alzheimers…

    Reply

    • Ann, your Mom sounds like a sweet lady. I’m glad she did well after anesthesia. That isn’t always the case. For some reason, many Alzheimer’s patients seem to regress after having surgery and/or anesthesia. My mom was in the hospital and had no surgery but became very confused and it took her several days after being home to “shake off the affect” of the hospitalization.

      I’m sorry to hear about her fall. Yes, I think breaking that bone is all too common when we get older. She seems to have a sweet disposition though and that’s a good thing.

      I’m not certain about the teeth-grinding. Sometimes we don’t really know why they start a certain new action or how long it will last; sometimes a few days and other times a few weeks. But I wouldn’t be surprised if she stopped doing that before too long.

      I know exactly how you feel, the last stage is the most dreaded. I wish you all the best and blessings for you and your Mom. I hope she stays cheerful and happy for a long time to come.

      Thank you for visiting our site and sharing news about your Mom. I hope you browse around and check out a few of the book reviews, many have the First Chapter Free and provide very informative reading. Book Reviews

  18. My brother just called and informed me that our mother has become vilient and is hitting and throwing things and also biting the people at the nursing home. She was admitted to the hospital a couple weeks ago to get 6 teeth pulled. She was doing good then a few days ago this other started. They are moving her today to a hospital. They are admitting her to the geriatic physic unit. They are removing her from all her medications and starting over. I personally think it may have had to do with her surgery. I understand they have to start somewhere to try to figure out whats going on. She had forgotten my brothers and myself a long time ago. I live in another state from my mom and brothers. I fee so bad that she has to go through this and I don’t know what to do. Any information or comments would be appricated.
    Thank you

    Reply

    • Oh Karen,
      I feel so sad for you. I know you are worried about your Mom.

      I’ve seen this happen before after a hospital stay or use of anesthetics. I tend to agree with you, I think it probably had more to do with her surgery and anesthesia than anything else. It’s a cache-22 sometimes. A patient needs medical treatment, including surgery–yet it can worsen their dementia condition. It isn’t uncommon for the patient to take a “down-turn” after a hospital stay or surgery. Alzheimer’s patients often move from one stage to the next after a surgery with anesthetics. I believe the medications in surgery have an adverse affect on their Alzheimer’s issues.

      I feel certain the physicians will understand her condition and know what to do. It does sound like a good idea to remove all medication and start over. And hopefully, that will have her feeling better very soon.

      It’s extra difficult on you since you’re in a different state. My thoughts are with you. Stay in touch with your brothers, though, and hopefully you will have good news about her condition shortly.

      Stay in touch~
      Sandy

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