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How do I know if things are worse?
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Nov 8 2:08pm | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
playdough12, I'm so glad you are with your mom. You have strong sensitivity to her needs and are guided by them. It is overwhelming and heartbreaking and even while you wonder if it is getting worse, you can know that it will. It is important not to raise your voice or get angry not because she'll remember, she probably won't, but you will. When she's gone you'll forget all the million wonderful little considerations you had for her and you'll regret forever those tiny, impatient moments.
The confusion about clothing are common, though watch for UTIs if she thinks she needs the restroom and doesn't. Railing on walls can be really helpful for balance, as well as lighting to the bathroom for at night. She might like noise cancelling ear muffs, but she might hate them.
Bless you both.
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@gently , my impression would be taking someone with her condition on a trip 2 hours away would have a substantial impact. Transition out of their normal environment can be disorienting. My dad and cousin didn’t do well after returning from even short trips. You might check for UTI as well. My dad had a recurring illusion that he was urinating when he wasn’t. You couldn’t convince him otherwise. The problem was that he would sit on the toilet so long his legs would go numb and he’d collapse to the floor. Then we needed to call 911 to get him off the floor.
It sounds like you might be fatigued. Have you considered hospice care? The decline in mental status and substantial weight loss might qualify her. They can offer some additional services and also free respite care so caregivers can get time off to rest and recharge.
I would encourage you to get extra help lined up and ready to step in because once my dad began to struggle with incontinence we needed help fast. They got us a hospital bed and incontinence supplies.