Morning to all,
Mum 92, mid stage dementia and being cared for in her own home by my sister and I.
Mum's been a real trooper through her dementia; sure she can be an abusive, aggressive, one woman demolition derby at times but considering all she's going through and her age, she's coped remarkably well.
She hasn't been able to speak for three days now; she just woke up that way one morning. All she can do is grunt and make "Tzzz tzzzz tzzz" noises, and I fear she's hit another milestone down the slippery slope.
She's terrified, you can see the fear written on her face because she can't communicate any more. Sadly Mum is often aware that there's something wrong with her. She used to say "Am I going mad? There's something not right in my head and I can feel it".
My sister and I are praying that it's just another temporary glitch as has happened so many times in the past. A few times we've thought "This is the end" yet she's fought back again; but after three days I'm not so sure.
Any of you got any tips on how we can reassure her and calm her? How to communicate with her if she doesn't regain her speech? We do all that the books and fact sheets suggest, talking in simple sentences and at a slightly slower pace, making sure we're at eye level with her etc. We do our best not to shout!
Thanks all!
Mum 92, mid stage dementia and being cared for in her own home by my sister and I.
Mum's been a real trooper through her dementia; sure she can be an abusive, aggressive, one woman demolition derby at times but considering all she's going through and her age, she's coped remarkably well.
She hasn't been able to speak for three days now; she just woke up that way one morning. All she can do is grunt and make "Tzzz tzzzz tzzz" noises, and I fear she's hit another milestone down the slippery slope.
She's terrified, you can see the fear written on her face because she can't communicate any more. Sadly Mum is often aware that there's something wrong with her. She used to say "Am I going mad? There's something not right in my head and I can feel it".
My sister and I are praying that it's just another temporary glitch as has happened so many times in the past. A few times we've thought "This is the end" yet she's fought back again; but after three days I'm not so sure.
Any of you got any tips on how we can reassure her and calm her? How to communicate with her if she doesn't regain her speech? We do all that the books and fact sheets suggest, talking in simple sentences and at a slightly slower pace, making sure we're at eye level with her etc. We do our best not to shout!
Thanks all!