Caregiver: Should my mother who has dementia get the COVID vaccine?

Hi @anthony68, the COVID vaccine is recommended for people living with dementia. Here's some information from the Alzheimer's Association.
- COVID-19 Vaccine: Answers for Dementia Caregivers and People Living with Alzheimer's https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine

Older adults and people with serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, according to public health and clinical experts.

It must be frustrating not to get in touch with your mother's doctor to get his/her approval. Are you able to phone them? This is likely something you can ask about without requiring a home appointment.

I will add to Colleen's (@colleenyoung) note that, having cared for many people with dementia, any illness, even if not life-threatening, is very difficult, both for patient and caregiver. Any disruption to routine, any symptoms like fever, cough or intestinal upset are very likely to increase confusion, disorientation, restlessness...

Can you arrange through the nurse to get her vaccinated at home?
Sue

Hello:
I am a dementia patient. I was on the fence myself fo a wfhile. I prayed about and ou of the blue I got a call from my Neurology team at Mayo telling me I can now get the vaccine I took that as my sign to get it - especially since i was below th age they were regularly giving the vaccine to (under 60 at the time).

With that said - everyone is different. With her age and other potential underlying issues getting the opinion of a doc is very important.
So - the doc wont even talk to you over the phone about it?
Maybe talk to one of her other docs (if she has other specialists?

Hope you can get the answer that gives you the reassurance about getting the vaccine.

Peace
Larry H

I think I can maybe an IV would be a thought . I've noticed when she's IV up shes more coherent . Thank u for the info and support .

Thanks for advice I'll definitely check .

Thanks definitely for you're post . Is very hard to caretake during this terrible time . I'm gonna definitely talk to her Dr .

the vaccine is what is needed to end this pandemic...i suggest you
contact the CDC for an overview and speak with those who have
received the vaccine...I have received the vaccine and am so
grateful to have the protection.

I think this is a question for your mother's primary care doctor or another health professional. The opinions of others not involved with your mother should not influence this important decision. My husband (age 66 -a Lewy Body Dementia patient) was highly encouraged to get it by our doctors. LBD is considered a higher risk category, and 5 months after getting the vaccine he was diagnosed with Covid. Because he had the shots, he had a very light case. For this good advice from his medical professionals, we are grateful!

@anthony68
I think this a a good question for your mother's primary care doctor. The Alzheimer's Association recommends those with Alzheimer’s and dementia have the covid vaccine. I would personally have had my mama vaccinated.

Tomorrow my husband and I will be getting our boosters. I filled out a questionnaire. They will ask me again when we go tomorrow. Here is the questionnaire that can be printed: https://www.cdc.gov/screening/paper-version.pdf

Our hospital has been listing numbers and percentages of those WHO HAVE NOT HAD the vaccines that are admitted to hospital and to ICU and those vented. The last one was 93%. There are milder symptoms with those who have had the vaccines. The vaccines work.

ZeeGee

As clotting disorders are a listed side effect, beware. My mother was injected in October with permission of her PoA. I came to visit and spent five days in the hospital with her, where it took two transfusions to stop her internal bleeding/vomiting blood. Fast forward two months. I have now moved to where she is located to be her advocate and participate in her care. She has a full-on blood clotting disorder where the slightest bruise leaves her with SACKS OF BLOOD hanging on her body. Sacks of blood - a tablespoon or two - hanging on her body. It's truly horrifying to see, and the bandages placed over them are very painful to her.