Anxiety and Alzheimers

[Caroline T]

Hi all,
My Mum has Alzheimers and has been in a nursing home for the last 7 weeks. I cared for her 24/7 for the last 2 years and was suffering carer burn out.
I went to see Mum this morning and was upset because she has really bad anxiety and agitation.
She has suffered from this in the past and it fluctuates due to constipation, low sodium levels,etc. The nursing staff said Mum is fine and has anxiety at various times of the day and she is more settled than at the beginning of her stay.

I just wondered if anxiety was a symptom of Alzeimers and if other carers had experienced this in their relatives. It is really upsetting seeing Mum so distressed and only being able to see for half an hour every week due to restrictions.

 

[karaokePete]

Hello @carolinet, depression and anxiety are common bedfellows of dementia. My wife is treated for these as well as her dementia.

A chat with the GP may get you some help. If you would like to read the Society Factsheet about this issue just click the 2nd line of the following link

Supporting a person with dementia who has depression, anxiety or apathy (444)
PDF printable version

 

[Caroline T]

Thank you. I asked the carers if other people with dementia suffered like this, they said everyone is different. Our GP is not very sympathetic to Mum's case, even refused to carry on blood tests for low sodrum levels, said we know you Mum has low levels for years, so, no point keep testing!!