← Return to Mixed Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Discussion

Mixed Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Aug 25 11:15am | Replies (9)

Comment receiving replies
@lmr23

My Mom is 85 years old and is still making her coffee, getting dressed on her own. I have just started administering her meds because she made mistakes taking the wrong meds. She is refusing to have any home
care which is non negotiable at this time because I travel for work and need to be away. My question is more about “How” do I do this? How do I provide care and still have a life?

Jump to this post


Replies to "My Mom is 85 years old and is still making her coffee, getting dressed on her..."

I do feel for you trying to do this alone. Caregiver fatigue is real. It can take a toll on your health, both physical and mental. Get all the help you can get. I’ll share what I know about mixed dementia.

I was responsible for my older cousin when she got sick. She lived alone and ran her own household, with some physical issues that required a cane. However, she suddenly became unable to care for herself and was very confused. I tried to care for her in her home after her primary and a neurologist with full testing, diagnosed her with severe vascular dementia. Due to me needing to work and her needing 24/7 care, I placed her into a Memory Care facility. They were trained to manage her care and it was a good decision for her. She did quite well there (I visited often, some weeks going daily, which I do not recommend) and she survived for 6 years, having been diagnosed at age 63.

During her time in Memory Care, a psychiatrist that she saw added the diagnosis to Mixed Vascular and Alzheimer’s. During my reading, it appeared the main difference was the rate of progression. And, normally Alzheimer’s patients maintained their mobility longer. With Vascular, my cousin because wheelchair bound and fully incontinent within a couple of months. It’s my understanding Alz progresses more slowly and gradually, which I have observed with my father. (No blood relation to my cousin.).

Resistance to care was huge with my cousin. She was resistant to bathing, changing clothes, taking meds, eating, etc. Trained professionals handled it incredibly well.

Imo, a team of support and care are vital. Stress is a major factor with caregiving. I wish you the best and hope you get more input here on this forum from other caregivers.