Sadness

[Jo6]

that is what Alzheimer's comes down to. Just to look at MIL makes me so incredibly sad. She still tells me she loves me, but I do not think she knows who I am.

She starts to say words and she says them over and over. She will say a whole sentence, it makes no sense and she will say it over & over getting faster each time. It appears she is trying to stop but can't?

Tootsie or anybody, have you ever encountered this? It breaks my heart over again. Julia



I also think she has had a mild stroke. Her mouth will twist to the side and at times this will happen when she is trying to speak but the speech keeps going faster? Maybe TIA's?

[Tootsie]

Hi Julia,
I think this endless repetition of words or phrases over and over again is called per-sev-er-a-tion. I do not know if that is the correct spelling but that is the way it sounds. It can be any activity, not just speech.

I have no real experience with it but know that it also occurs in any kind of brain injury or other forms of neurological disease. You might try singing to her. Music is processed in a different part of the brain. When I needed to get something across to my mother, I would put in the form of a song, or jingle. You can say almost anything to the tune of "row, row, row your boat!"

I remember seeing a man one time who had suffered a stroke. He kept saying, "Well, well, well," in response to any question or conversation.

Your MIL may not know just who you are but does recognize that you are someone important to her and she's trying to tell you that she loves you. Treasure those moments. My Mom used to clap her hands like a small child when I first arrived to visit. I don't know if she knew my name but she did know that I was someone she was glad to see. Cheerio.

[Tigger 76]

I am sorry you are having such a hard time right now. I know it can be so hard at times, but try to remember your MIL may not know exact who you are but I do think on some level she knows you are someone that she cares about.

My grandma does just "stuck" on certian subjects. It is kind of like her brain will not let her change the subject. My grandma also has issues with TIA'S and when she does have one her mental issues get a whole lot worse.

[Jo6]

thankyou Cindy. Yes, you keep hoping, but I know MIL is wasting away. She fell the other night and hit her head. They kept assuring K she was alright. Well, I wonder why she fell? Dizzy? so many things. I just pray she doesn't have another skull fracture:( ((Take care Cindy, you too Tootsie)) Julia

[Jo6]

I wonder how many of us is here. When we went to see MIL Sunday everything felt so strange. She was laying on her bed, wasn't connecting with anything.

I think she was running a fever, her face was so flushed, blood red! I am always drained when we go. She is such a dear except when she doesn't want to do what you ask her to do.

She can not lift her left hand/arm. K has told them so many times, to slip all clothes on left arm first. If not they must hurt her bad. That is when she gets violet! SHE HURTS~!! Why can't they do such a simple thing to keep from hurting her?

There are large posters all over her room explaining to all nurses and CNA's how to help her with clothes. She can't dress herself anymore.

I hate this disease! Blessings to all you caregivers as well as your Patient's.

Julia

[Tigger 76]

Hi I am still here. I hate this dease too!!!!:mad: I went to see my grandma last weekend it did not go all that well. She was really in a mood refused to what I ask.:( I do not think she was feeling well.

The move to the nursiing home is going to have to happen soon. I really hate that Idea but I know it is time.


Blessings to all you caregivers.

[Jo6]

I feel for you dear Cindy. Yes, the move will be hard for you and of course your mom, but Mom is too close at times now, you tend to let your heart rule your head.

It is devastating to make that step, but when it is time, it is time. Then the guilt moves in, but try to remember grandmom is going to be better off with around the clock care.

I'm sure your mom has a loins share of taking care of her and you have to be a God-send for gran as well as Mom.

Hang in there Cindy, we will be thinking of you. Please let us know how things go. ((Cindy)) Jo

[Tootsie]

Falls are such a problem for all older persons. Sometimes, I think that the brain damage associated with A.D. causes some disorientation and dizziness and that is why they fall. My mother fell and broke her hip in the residential care home where I had placed her.

You have to realize that the only alternative to the risk of falling, is to either drug them so they can't be physically active, or else physically restrain them. Neither is acceptable to most of us, so we deal with the falling.

It was strange, but after my mother was moved to the nursing home after her hip repair, she became very lucid. One day, she managed to say, "I'm so very grateful for all the people who take care of me." It was such a typical statement, that she would make. I cried. Cheerio.

[Tigger 76]

Hi all thanks again for the words of incurgagement. I know everyone here understands how I feel. Things are kind if on hold with my grandma because my mom and I decided to take a vacation to vist my sister in Florida. We are having a blast. My aunts and uncles are keeping in eye on grandma. It is so nice to have a break and not have to worry about things right now

Hope things are going well with everyone.

[Jo6]

I am so glad you and Mom are takling this break!! You both need it! Have a good time because you know when you are back your aunts and uncles may have a better view of how things really is going.

You are taking care of you as well as Mom:) I can tell you love your mom very much and that you are trying to take some of the slack off her. You just be sure you get that rest too.

Yes, I think we all know where you are at this point, but everybody does different and grandmom may just be happy to have attention and feel cared for.

Tootsie is such an angel. Its been many years sine her Mom went to her reward but she still comes and shares things with us that are very encouraging. what she said about her Mom saying she really did appreciate all that took such good care for her. I tell you I felt for Tootsie, but it sounds like she was thanking Tootsie. I had a cry right along with her when she said that is what she did that day.

Hang in there Cindy, we can share things that will warm your heart and then again there are THOSE days.;) Yes, I hate this disease, robbing everything from our LO's!! Have a great time and we will talk when you return.

my love, Julia