Mixed Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Son has both. Early onset was diagnosed aged 40. We can tell which symptoms are Alzheimer’s and which are dementia because they are different. He’s 45 now and has 24/7 caregivers in our home. His brother and I are 2 of 4 needed. He has other disabilities so he’s got to have awake staff day and night. We worry more about his seizure disorder and migraines than AD or dementia. Still enjoys TV and PlayStation, outings, family time. He is a talker and most of the time can follow along in conversation just fine. He has become incontinent most of the time so he wears adult diapers. He does use the toilet with assistance daytime. He feeds himself. He does have to have a caregiver give all his meds to him and help him dress. Anything you’d like to ask, go ahead.

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?

@lmr23 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! As you can see, the members of this group are willing to share everything they know and what works for them. Check out the other discussions in the Caregivers:Dementia Support Group. There is a lot of good info! And, again, Welcome!

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.

@celia16 - thank you for your comments. Her neurologist prescribed medication to help slow the progression of her condition.
In the meantime, I am looking for in home care for the weeks that I have business travel.

What symptoms would you say are dementia or Alzheimer's? Drs. say he has both but I'm not so sure. Thinking of having a skin punch test for Alzeimer's as there seems to be more medical options coming down the pike. Thank you! Very sorry about your situation and your son's.

All I can advise you on the differences between them are easily found with online searches. As mentioned in another reply, the rate of decline tends to be more slow and steady with AD.

Be very aware that sometimes a simple “cold” or a virus or a UTI ( which become more common as the person isn’t showering themselves any more and may end up with adult diapers) all of these can suddenly cause a huge change in behavior and routines.

You will need to prepare for times you are away that someone will be getting her to a doctor appointment, do bloodwork or get urine samples done and tested. It’s not just care that is done at home. When the changes come the doctors will want to have some documentation and observations from the main caregiver in order to consider recommendations.

Thank you so much for this.
I am looking for a variety of care options now that I have accepted the reality of her condition. As her only child, she has been my confidant and best friend. She was the nanny/grandma to my sons so with all of her support to me over the years, my issue in getting help has been my reluctance to accept her condition.

It’s a gradual thing I think. Over time, it was clear that the person we knew was very different. I recall the day that I went to visit her in Memory Care. She normally became very excited and happy to see me. But, this day she continued with her activities, as if I was just another visitor…..it does something to you. I thought I was prepared, but it still stung. I introduced myself and we had our visit. I still believe she knew she was loved and cared for, even though she wasn’t sure who we were exactly. I realize I’ll face this again with my Dad, if he survives his CHF and CKD.

It’s good to have things lined up, because sometimes things progress quickly.