Feeling down..could use a hug, or some encouragement

[Mary_Gail_36]

I’m really sorry to hear all of this; having to watch a loved one slide into dementia is one of the worst things imaginable.

When I worked as a nurse’s aid at a state nursing home my senior year of high school, we have several very distressed dementia patients who were disturbed by pictures of home and loved ones. But, they were comforted by teddy bears, old timey gospels, and pictures of childhood cartoon characters like Felix the Cat. They seemed to relate more to their very distant past. I’m sorry if you weren’t looking for unsolicited advice; I just thought I’d share.

Make sure you take care of yourself and have a good support system. You can’t be of help to anyone if you aren’t looking after yourself.

Thanks.

I think with my mom is that she can’t distinguish the photos from real life and it causes her distress. She won’t even look at pictures on my phone. It gets her upset. It’s if she doesn’t understand that photos are a thing, and instead of images they are small versions of people.

I’m not sure what she might like. Other patients walk around with stuffed animals. She doesn’t like them. I gave her a doll for a bit. She combed her hair, but then got very agitated.

She’s a bit difficult as a patient because she has psychotic symptoms too. Medicating her is a balancing act. Managing her psychosis causes the dementia symptoms to be worse.

Thanks again.

 

[ineeda]

Mary Gail,

I just read this thread. I am really sorry about the decline of your mother. I can empathize. I am caregiver for my mom with dementia. She knows who I am, but does not always know how we are related. I have been her mom and sister. Speaking of sister, she does not recognize my one sister that lives about five hours away. We see her a few times a year.

My husband and I went on a weekend trip, last week. We go about twice a year. Other than that, I am always with her. She has really declined this past week. She has been getting up during the night.(sun downing) For the first time, today, she was a bit mean. She became agitated that I could not understand what she was trying to tell me. My mother is normally such a sweet lady.

I miss “my mom”. She is here physically, but not as my mother. I am fortunate to have had her for so many years. I am 60, and she is 92. She has late onset Alzheimer’s. Her dementia started about 6 years ago.

I really feel for you. I know that it is not easy. Here is a virtual hug(((()))

 

[Irishmom2]

Hugs to you too ineeda! :hug1:

That your mom got to the age she is with this problem so late in life is a blessing.

Prayers offered for you and and Mary Gail.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

Mary Gail,

I just read this thread. I am really sorry about the decline of your mother. I can empathize. I am caregiver for my mom with dementia. She knows who I am, but does not always know how we are related. I have been her mom and sister. Speaking of sister, she does not recognize my one sister that lives about five hours away. We see her a few times a year.

My husband and I went on a weekend trip, last week. We go about twice a year. Other than that, I am always with her. She has really declined this past week. She has been getting up during the night.(sun downing) For the first time, today, she was a bit mean. She became agitated that I could not understand what she was trying to tell me. My mother is normally such a sweet lady.

I miss “my mom”. She is here physically, but not as my mother. I am fortunate to have had her for so many years. I am 60, and she is 92. She has late onset Alzheimer’s. Her dementia started about 6 years ago.

I really feel for you. I know that it is not easy. Here is a virtual hug(((()))

((Hugs)) to you as well.