Speaking about detecting pain in severe dementia...my 86yo MWD stage 6 fell and I was with her in the ED. They took xrays and said nothing was broken. She had a BROKEN FEMUR! I kept questioning them, saying something is wrong. It seems like she's in pain, I don't think she can stand or bear weight. I don't think she can walk anymore. She could walk fine before the fall. I still kick myself for not demanding they SHOW me no breaks on the x-ray. But after a 12 hours ordeal we were glad to be out of there. My mom isn't able to communicate, but what she did do is have hours on end of extreme fidgeting. She pulled on her IV, on her monitors, she wadded up her sheets and blankets. She'd put both arms in the air grasping at something--I don't know what. She'd try to get up, almost doing sit-ups in the hospital bed. I mention this, because I feel this was her way of showing she was in pain. When they stood her up to make her get in a wheelchair to be discharged, She started shivering uncontrollably. (I was yelling, "see! she's in pain!!") The nurse assured me it was "muscular trauma" to be expected after a fall. The nurse even got the Dr. to come in and tell me the same thing as I left. Sorry to ramble, but maybe someone else can learn from our experience. My MWD is often agitated, but this was over the top--more than I'd ever seen and I couldn't do anything to redirect or distract her. I still can't believe this happened to her.
Thankyou for mentioning that the stages do not apply to Vascular dementia. My husbands symptoms (MCI) are all over the place on the staging tool. Most much more in line with a later stage yet most ADLs are ok or do not apply as I take care of many of them anyway so who knows. Focussing on preventing further strokes and changing MY expectations seems to be the best course of action for now and also very relieved we now have a geriatrician involved.
just wanted to say in reference to taking over the meds. I got a Hero Machine it is a medication dispensing machine that will dispense their medications for them everyday basically you plug in what they are taking and when and it will dispense the meds at the correct time and they have a feature where it will make a noise to remind them hey its time to take your meds. They do charge a monthly fee but it is well worth it so you do not have to worry about did they take their meds? What meds do they take and when such a relief.
Thank you for going over the stages. My husband has fell 4 times in about 6 weeks. Seems to be balance issues and just not picking up his feet. He is diagnosed mild but has moderate symptoms currently.
My 81 year old brother lives with me and has dementia. It is extremely hard to know what stage he is in because he has always been a hoarder and at times did not bathe. His doctor diagnosed him from the yearly paper tests for seniors approx 4 years ago. His memory is very good, he still drives, and dresses himself and can carry on a conversation. The only things I see are that he does not like to bathe and his mouth hangs open all the time. I am very confused!!! Is it really dementia???
My Mom was doing that. She has narcolepsy and has been on Ritalin forever. Her Dr gave her tramadol for some pain management. You can't take the 2 together!! She had her mouth open and it and she could barely function. The Dr told my Dad it was dementia! We finally convinced her to come off the tramadol and she instantly cleared up. So - it could possibly be a drug related if he is taking any meds like that
Thanks for that reminder. I should not be concerned too much about the stage, but quality time spent together. I needed to hear that.
Speaking about detecting pain in severe dementia...my 86yo MWD stage 6 fell and I was with her in the ED. They took xrays and said nothing was broken. She had a BROKEN FEMUR! I kept questioning them, saying something is wrong. It seems like she's in pain, I don't think she can stand or bear weight. I don't think she can walk anymore. She could walk fine before the fall. I still kick myself for not demanding they SHOW me no breaks on the x-ray. But after a 12 hours ordeal we were glad to be out of there. My mom isn't able to communicate, but what she did do is have hours on end of extreme fidgeting. She pulled on her IV, on her monitors, she wadded up her sheets and blankets. She'd put both arms in the air grasping at something--I don't know what. She'd try to get up, almost doing sit-ups in the hospital bed. I mention this, because I feel this was her way of showing she was in pain. When they stood her up to make her get in a wheelchair to be discharged, She started shivering uncontrollably. (I was yelling, "see! she's in pain!!") The nurse assured me it was "muscular trauma" to be expected after a fall. The nurse even got the Dr. to come in and tell me the same thing as I left. Sorry to ramble, but maybe someone else can learn from our experience. My MWD is often agitated, but this was over the top--more than I'd ever seen and I couldn't do anything to redirect or distract her. I still can't believe this happened to her.
That's awful. I'm so sorry.
Omgosh that poor woman! I can't imagine the pain she must have been in !!! I would sue the heck out of that hospital!!
Thankyou for mentioning that the stages do not apply to Vascular dementia. My husbands symptoms (MCI) are all over the place on the staging tool. Most much more in line with a later stage yet most ADLs are ok or do not apply as I take care of many of them anyway so who knows. Focussing on preventing further strokes and changing MY expectations seems to be the best course of action for now and also very relieved we now have a geriatrician involved.
just wanted to say in reference to taking over the meds. I got a Hero Machine it is a medication dispensing machine that will dispense their medications for them everyday basically you plug in what they are taking and when and it will dispense the meds at the correct time and they have a feature where it will make a noise to remind them hey its time to take your meds. They do charge a monthly fee but it is well worth it so you do not have to worry about did they take their meds? What meds do they take and when such a relief.
My sister is getting really bad with Alzheimers. It’s heartbreaking.
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Thank you for going over the stages. My husband has fell 4 times in about 6 weeks. Seems to be balance issues and just not picking up his feet. He is diagnosed mild but has moderate symptoms currently.
Thank you!
Ty for your advise I’m not doing well my mother is a narcissist abusive person. She has Alzheimer’s and I can’t be around too much.
My mother is 83 Alzheimer’s she was abusive and still is
😮
My 81 year old brother lives with me and has dementia. It is extremely hard to know what stage he is in because he has always been a hoarder and at times did not bathe. His doctor diagnosed him from the yearly paper tests for seniors approx 4 years ago. His memory is very good, he still drives, and dresses himself and can carry on a conversation. The only things I see are that he does not like to bathe and his mouth hangs open all the time. I am very confused!!! Is it really dementia???
My Mom was doing that. She has narcolepsy and has been on Ritalin forever. Her Dr gave her tramadol for some pain management. You can't take the 2 together!! She had her mouth open and it and she could barely function. The Dr told my Dad it was dementia! We finally convinced her to come off the tramadol and she instantly cleared up. So - it could possibly be a drug related if he is taking any meds like that
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