Alzheimer's Disease Support Group
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. An early symptom is memory loss (amnesia), usually manifesting as minor forgetfulness that becomes pronounced with illness progression, with relative...
So as of today Rollie shuffles, falls a lot, he wanders aimlessly around the living room, doesn't go anywhere else. Starting to sit a bit now and then, even fall asleep while sitting for a few minutes at a time. While he is wandering around he moves small objects from here to there around the room. he also carries small around objects. Also, I have noticed that he walks with a slant/tilt to one side.
100% poop incontinent, 50/50 on the pee, still insists on whipping it out every so often to pee on furniture, etc.
Down to 135 (a year ago 220), eats like a humming bird, hardly drinks. Most times he doesn't seem to even be able to 'see' his food or cup, he stabs his fork at the table around the plate and then brings the empty fork or spoon to his mouth. Pushes the plate away after a few bites.
His speech is a whispered unintelligible garble. He has trouble understanding me, even simple questions like are you hungry? I have to ask several times in a row and then he will whisper yes or no.
He isn't able to sit down by himself, he has to be guided to a chair or he will fall right beside it. I wonder if he can see, I don't think he is completely blind but I believe his vision is greatly impaired.
His gaze is far away, doesn't seem to focus on anything, even me. I can tell it takes awhile for things to register, like his brain takes a while to focus.
We have an appointment on Friday with his palliative Dr, now just you watch he will perform like a champ in front of her.
100% poop incontinent, 50/50 on the pee, still insists on whipping it out every so often to pee on furniture, etc.
Down to 135 (a year ago 220), eats like a humming bird, hardly drinks. Most times he doesn't seem to even be able to 'see' his food or cup, he stabs his fork at the table around the plate and then brings the empty fork or spoon to his mouth. Pushes the plate away after a few bites.
His speech is a whispered unintelligible garble. He has trouble understanding me, even simple questions like are you hungry? I have to ask several times in a row and then he will whisper yes or no.
He isn't able to sit down by himself, he has to be guided to a chair or he will fall right beside it. I wonder if he can see, I don't think he is completely blind but I believe his vision is greatly impaired.
His gaze is far away, doesn't seem to focus on anything, even me. I can tell it takes awhile for things to register, like his brain takes a while to focus.
We have an appointment on Friday with his palliative Dr, now just you watch he will perform like a champ in front of her.
I still can't believe they don't believe he is hospice material. It has to be pure torture for him to endure each day in such a fog....we can only hope they are not aware of their struggles and humiliations.
I pray that God will grant you both peace and very soon.
Can't wait to see you in Vegas, it is coming quickly now!
hugs.........Carolyn
Rob not only doesn't look at me (or anyone) straight on his GAZE is usually at the floor. He is developing a definite slump in his walk, moves everything, puts things in weird places, now eats with a spoon only and a bowl but that is almost stopped as most is on him or the floor so I will start feeding him,now he can no longer understand nor be understood. SOUND FAMILIAR ???? Its no wonder we are worn out and close to burned out along with many of our other sisters here. It is not an easy road for any of us ....but we do it ...I pray for strength for all of us and mercy for our loved ones.
Like Carolyn said...If it werent for moms subdural hematoma from a fall....she would probably still be here and getting worse every minute. I saw a way different side of this disease and what it is capable of while she went through her last hospitalization. She had the glassy stare, she would look right through you. I dont know what her world was like, but it sure is hopeless and heartbreaking to watch. I did find some compassion and empathy and learned some lessons that were very hard to face at the time. But, I dont wish this on anyone....."it" really affects everyone, and it hurts very much even for me now that its over. I have a picture of mom in the hospital, a close up of her face..... that picture will haunt me forever because it shows her own pain, and the glassy "Im not in here anymore" stare into the distance. I hate that look, but I will keep the picture and let it haunt me to remind me of how horribly lost we can feel even when not alone.
I will continue to pray for everyone here and hope that peace comes to each of you. Just remember you are ALL loved!!!
HUGS
Janel
lol....guess I had more to say than I thought...my apologies