Hi everyone,
My mum is aged 68 and is unfortunately suffering from end stage Alzheimer's. She is in a wonderful nursing home nearby and I visit her as often as possible. Back in February/March time we thought we were losing her as she stopped eating and drinking, but she rallied round and is now surviving on protein drinks and whatever bit of food they can get her to eat.
This last couple of weeks she has started to scream and rant and cry almost constantly. It is very distressing to visit when she is like this and I have stopped taking my children with me to visit as they find it too upsetting. I asked one of her carers whether they could give her something to calm her down and was advised that she already has some meds that are supposed to do this. This was last week. My concern is that she's still like this a week on and she just looks so sad and scared. I feel it isn't fair for her to be existing like this.
Mum is bed bound, double incontinent, doesn't recognise any of her family, cannot communicate and is basically a living shell.
So, my question is whether any of you have experience with sedation being used for an end stage Alzheimer's sufferer..? My sisters and I are hoping to discuss this option with the nursing home, but I'd like to be armed with extra info if possible. The way we see it is that she would hopefully be more comfortable and at the end of the day it would not make her quality of life any worse.
Thanks in advance.
Waldo xx
My mum is aged 68 and is unfortunately suffering from end stage Alzheimer's. She is in a wonderful nursing home nearby and I visit her as often as possible. Back in February/March time we thought we were losing her as she stopped eating and drinking, but she rallied round and is now surviving on protein drinks and whatever bit of food they can get her to eat.
This last couple of weeks she has started to scream and rant and cry almost constantly. It is very distressing to visit when she is like this and I have stopped taking my children with me to visit as they find it too upsetting. I asked one of her carers whether they could give her something to calm her down and was advised that she already has some meds that are supposed to do this. This was last week. My concern is that she's still like this a week on and she just looks so sad and scared. I feel it isn't fair for her to be existing like this.
Mum is bed bound, double incontinent, doesn't recognise any of her family, cannot communicate and is basically a living shell.
So, my question is whether any of you have experience with sedation being used for an end stage Alzheimer's sufferer..? My sisters and I are hoping to discuss this option with the nursing home, but I'd like to be armed with extra info if possible. The way we see it is that she would hopefully be more comfortable and at the end of the day it would not make her quality of life any worse.
Thanks in advance.
Waldo xx