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I just don’t understand Dementia. My mom was diagnosed in July and she wasn’t that bad but not really eating or bathing but would get dressed and go sit outside almost all day long. Now I move her in with me and my husband in Aug and she has done nothing but go down hill. She doesn’t take a bath until I make her. She goes to bed by 5:30 or 6:00 and don’t get up until 10 or 11. Now she pees in the bed at night so put Depends on her and also she hardly talks. How does a person go down this fast?

My FIL had a tumor on brain and died in 6 months and had a friend with Lung Cancer and died shortly after he found out but Dementia I didn’t realize you would go down hill this fast. Oh 2yrs ago my mom weight was 145 now she weighs 90. She knows me, my sis and hubby but she is starting to forget a lot of thing which that I expected but this other has me so upset I don’t know what to do.

Jan 3 she goes to Neurophysiologist for test...I guess to see how far along she is or what kind of Dementia she has. I know there are different kinds like Lewy Dementia.

On top of this we just found out that my Step FIL has a tumor on his lung. My MIL is so up set as are I and my hubby. We take him tomorrow for a biopsy.

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It has been a ruff few day. My Step FIL was to go to hospital on Monday to have a biopsy done on mass in his lung. Then couldn't do it because he oxygen level was only 23 percent. He has been in hosp every since. They have been getting his lvl up and hopes to go in Monday and do biopsy. On top of the he has phenomena.

Mom has been doing pretty good eating better so that is a good thing. Back in Aug she had a CT and then a MRI, no brain lesion or cancer but she has had a few mini strokes and brain shrinkage. (Can't think of the word the Dr. used).
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I agree with you. Her decline does seem rapid. Initially, I would have said depression. Now I'm wondering if she has been checked for brain lesion (tumor) or cancer?
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Same here...my mom came home with us in July. Knew all of us and was so grateful for us taking her in. Today...she has no clue who we are. I tell her almost daily. She has changed from this sweet little lady to a Jekyl and Hyde personality. She is not walking so well these days. And her communications have declined. Sometimes things come out of her head..when they should stay there. And other times..we have no idea what she is saying. It's been a reality check for us. I had no idea what dementia was until now. But I sure hope I never get this bad...I tell my kids just put me in a home somewhere. Sad...huh?
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My mom has a lot of trouble finding the right words. Years ago she started with it and we would laugh because we thought it was funny. It onlt got worse. 2 years ago I got her to get an MRI. It showed she has AD but at some time she had a stroke. We don't know when. The neuro doc said it's by the speech section of the brain. She gets so frustrated. She says, using hand motions it's in her head but won't come out of her mouth. If I get frustrated when I would play charades (not literally) with what she was saying, I know she has got to be twice as frustrated. It is such a horrible disease and terrible when one declines.
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Auntkiki, inability to find the right word is a common dementia symptom. In the middle of a recent night my husband called out to me to bring the wheelbarrow. “Sure thing, dear. Here is the wheelchair. Hop in.” I had no trouble knowing what he meant, though I did enjoy an image of pushing him to the bathroom in a garden cart. Sometimes the substitutions are nonsense words. He wanted the comrod to zeazle with. Sigh.

This inability to communicate must be especially frustrating for our dear loved ones!
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I'm sorry you are dealing with this dreaded disease. My mom declined quickly but now seems to have leveled out...somewhat. I placed her in assisted living three months ago and she has done much better since she has been there (even though she still wants to go home every day). Two years ago, Mom weighed 130 pounds and now she weighs 83 pounds. She is still mobile, but she is so frail that any fall or infection could be catastrophic for her. Mom has been diagnosed with vascular dementia, but I think she also has AD. I just take things one day at a time because what is right today may be completely different tomorrow. I wish you the best.
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Thanks everyone. One more thing she has started doing is like she is lost for the words she wants to say or when she says them she starts studering.
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Ah. I am sure you have thought of this too, but given the dramatic weight loss, perhaps her thyroids are acting up. Also, depression can cause all of these things. Good luck -- I wish I could be more helpful.
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They tested for a uti a few weeks ago and all was ok there. As far as POA I have done that on both medical and legal and also Rep. Payee on her SS check. She has been to the Neurologist that is how I found out it is Dementia going Jan 3 for the test they do. When home health nurses come all her vital are great. No high BP or anything like that. Only other thing is wrong with her is thyroid and she has had that problem for years.
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Checking for a uti makes a lot of sense!
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Glad to hear that. One thing occurred to me -- does she have a UTI? They can cause the symptoms of dementia, which may explain your mom's very rapid decline. One of the ways people distinguish between dementia and that caused by a UTI is the speed with which unfolds.
Just a thought. Best wishes.
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Aging, knowing all that I know now about POA Health care, Living Will, Will, that I took care of for my mom. I have filled out the papers for myself and had them notorized. I will be 51 in a couple of weeks and knowing how important it was for my mother, to have all of the necessary paperwork done before she can no longer make decisions on her own. No telling if I am in a car accident or something else caauses me to not be able to handle my own decisions I have it all spelled out for my agents. I think it's a great idea for everyone to have this paperwork completed for themselves.
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It sounds like your hands are more than full but perhaps your mother needs to be seen by a doctor earlier than Jan 3. Do yourselves a favor and make sure that you have all of her papers in order as soon as possible. Do you have a power of attorney for her? Health care proxy? advance directives? Living Will? Will? Does someone know where all of her assets and liabilities are located? It is critical that you get her wishes on paper in a legal form before she is not legally able to do so. Depending on where you live, you may need to get the documents notarized, which cannot be done in many hospitals. Also, if she does not wish to have heroic measures taken, wants a DNR, you need to have that spelled out before she goes into a hospital. Sorry to raise these tough issues but the sooner you prepare the better.
Best wishes.
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This is certainly a lot coming at you at once!

The only constant about dementia is that it gets worse. Sometimes it gets worse very slowly. Sometimes there is an abrupt and drastic decline. I am glad you have an appointment for your mom with a specialist. Until then keep her as comfortable as you can.
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