Hi, it's been a very grim few days. Mum is nearly 90 and recently the dementia demon really got a hold of her. Watching TV during the day is a big part of mums life although she is visited regulary during the day by us ( me, my sister and husband) and taken out every day. She has begun to believe that the people on TV are in the room and want to do harm to her. Of course it's impossible to dissuade her otherwise and we try to comfort her as best we can.
She gets distraught to the extent she says she wants to kill herself, this has been a dramatic change in her. Last Tuesday the GP visited to check for infection and ordered full blood screen, all clear. He got the community mental health nurse to visit mum and assessed her on Thursday. Mum was ok at the time of the visit but the nurse noted my
concerns. On Friday we were back to square 1 and mum was so distressed I rang mental health nurse who said I needed to get the GP to visit again to rule out infection again.
The GP came and said mum possibly had a few noises in her chest and prescribed antibiotics for 5 days even though there was no temperature and mum was not presenting as physically unwell. I have to wait and see if she improves before they review her. It's been heartbreaking listening to mum talking in a torrent of words and jumbled thoughts trying to articulate her anxieties; its like a manic mantra. As soon as I
have calmed her and left the room she starts again.
She had a better day today but I'm dreading tomorrow and it starting again. We have maintained her in her home ( just a few mins walk from me) for nearly 10 years with masses of input from us and carers doing early mornings, some tea calls and more recently a couple of bedtimes each week. I feel guilty leaving her night and know we have to start looking for a care home because she is becoming more vulnerable.
I know infections can cause terrible confusion but can't help thinking that her dementia has taken a downward spiral. I want to know what they can do to help her when these wretched hallucinations strike. Has anyone any advice about medication and if it has helped in this situation? I'm sure she is depressed on top of everything else and I feel so desperate for her; seeing her cry so piteously is the most dreadful thing. The heartbreaking thing was she was trying to comfort me, by telling me it wasn't my fault.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I would appreciate any advice.
She gets distraught to the extent she says she wants to kill herself, this has been a dramatic change in her. Last Tuesday the GP visited to check for infection and ordered full blood screen, all clear. He got the community mental health nurse to visit mum and assessed her on Thursday. Mum was ok at the time of the visit but the nurse noted my
concerns. On Friday we were back to square 1 and mum was so distressed I rang mental health nurse who said I needed to get the GP to visit again to rule out infection again.
The GP came and said mum possibly had a few noises in her chest and prescribed antibiotics for 5 days even though there was no temperature and mum was not presenting as physically unwell. I have to wait and see if she improves before they review her. It's been heartbreaking listening to mum talking in a torrent of words and jumbled thoughts trying to articulate her anxieties; its like a manic mantra. As soon as I
have calmed her and left the room she starts again.
She had a better day today but I'm dreading tomorrow and it starting again. We have maintained her in her home ( just a few mins walk from me) for nearly 10 years with masses of input from us and carers doing early mornings, some tea calls and more recently a couple of bedtimes each week. I feel guilty leaving her night and know we have to start looking for a care home because she is becoming more vulnerable.
I know infections can cause terrible confusion but can't help thinking that her dementia has taken a downward spiral. I want to know what they can do to help her when these wretched hallucinations strike. Has anyone any advice about medication and if it has helped in this situation? I'm sure she is depressed on top of everything else and I feel so desperate for her; seeing her cry so piteously is the most dreadful thing. The heartbreaking thing was she was trying to comfort me, by telling me it wasn't my fault.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I would appreciate any advice.