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My sister's state of mind changes a lot. She can ask appropriate questions, joke a bit, and follow conversations But in a short period of time, can be in an almost catatonic state. Probably no real answers but just curious as to what others think.
With my experience with my dying sister in my mother with dementia the one thing that stood out that helped maybe not a lot all the time but helped consistently was music their favorite music old time music it doesn't matter just as long as it was something they liked through their lifetime try it and see if it helps
The brain is a marvel and in many ways still a mystery; the nervous system can 'work around' some problems so that a wounded brain can have moments of clarity before the fog descends again. Enjoy your sister when she is 'present' and keep loving her when she sinks back into the less communicative state; she may even be 'recharging her battery', so to speak, when she falls silent/distant. It's somewhat how the body's nervous system can create new pathways for physical function when one becomes paralyzed to some degree. The body adapts as best it can, marvelous and mysterious in so many ways: intelligent design!
this is totally my mom, she has a dopamine transport deficit, maybe vascular dementia, but she definitely has had several strokes. sometimes hydration helps, recently seeing possible correlation with blood sugar to blood pressure but not sure why this has all started happening. The only meds are levodopa/carbidopa and now we started on a small amlodipine.
My mother "fell" last year in May, we had Hospice come to the house since already had 24/7 care for my dad. She was released from Hospice last November. As I looked back kast year I realized she had a TIA. She didn't remember hitting the floor. In the past year she was generally kinder and through this August a nap helped cognition, but memory continues to decline and "up" time continues to decline. My mom's muscles are so weak she can't walk, but can still stand to pivot. I have a camera in her room and can prove she is not still / quiet / sleeping for more than 15 minutes at a time. One day of 8 hr sleep (with help from melatonin) gave her 2 hrs of "up" and better cognitive function, but otherwise confusion and wanting bed. I have caregivers and have been at home (Oregon vs Arizona) for 6 weeks on a break. Don't know what I'll experience when I arrive today, but definition of "normal"? With a dementia patient? Not sure there really is one. There are things to try - verify she is sleeping, check potassium levels (my mom is dangerously low according to in home nurse). My parents GP just retired and wasn't real helpful before, so we are lucky to have found an in home nurse service to do tests etc. Bless you!
I visit my mom daily. Every once in a while, she will become fully oriented. Not sure if it has to do with the conversation, more sleep or something else. Dementia causes the brain to respond differently based on stimulation. Think about your discussion with your mom. What makes her feel better? Try to recreate that moment as much as possible. Unfortunately, the lights will dim and eventually go out.
My Dear Sad4Sis, unlike some of the respondents, it is actually quite normal for the sudden shifts in mental state. It may be related to the types of Dementia, I don't know. She has TIAs often, but has never had a lucid moment before, during, or after one of those horrible events! My 92yo wife has late-stage Vascular Dementia and I still care for her at home with some paid help. I'm 71, so she got the better part of that deal. 🤣 I'm still healthy enough to take care of her. If she has had a good couple of days with no fits and she feels well, she will often have clarity of thought about different things for a short time. Though she has not recognized me since Nov 2019, she will sometimes recognize me during that clarity but it won't last long, and she will slip back into her own world of alt-realities. Just enjoy every moment of it you can!
Thank you all for your input. Sis is on palliative care and they determine which meds she needs. She has had multiple small strokes with a bigger one earlier this year. Dementia was already an issue. I would guess she has vascular dementia.
What type of dementia has she been diagnosed with? It is possible that the "almost catatonic state" might be when and shortly after a mini stroke. This should be brought to her doctors attention. If it is possible that the episode could be captured on video it might help. Obviously you can not have your phone out ready to video 24/7 but it might help if you have cameras put up with the ability to video. You would not have to keep all videos just one or two that show what is happening prior, during and after the episode.
This is actually highly unusual, and in that it is it is worth discussing with her doctor. Be certain she has a recent urinalysis test. Be certain she is not medicated or self medicated, because this going from active to almost catatonic seldom happens without medications being involved. Also know that dementias vary. Those that involve the brain's vascular system and mini strokes can result in much more irratic behavior as can Lewy's which has its "good moments" and its bad ones.
After you speak to MD, and after you look at a lot of Teepa Snow videos about various folks interacting with people with dementia, and if medications are checked out, you are then down to dealing with your own individual. Reactions in the dementia world are often as unique as our own thumbprints.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
In the past year she was generally kinder and through this August a nap helped cognition, but memory continues to decline and "up" time continues to decline. My mom's muscles are so weak she can't walk, but can still stand to pivot. I have a camera in her room and can prove she is not still / quiet / sleeping for more than 15 minutes at a time. One day of 8 hr sleep (with help from melatonin) gave her 2 hrs of "up" and better cognitive function, but otherwise confusion and wanting bed.
I have caregivers and have been at home (Oregon vs Arizona) for 6 weeks on a break. Don't know what I'll experience when I arrive today, but definition of "normal"? With a dementia patient? Not sure there really is one.
There are things to try - verify she is sleeping, check potassium levels (my mom is dangerously low according to in home nurse). My parents GP just retired and wasn't real helpful before, so we are lucky to have found an in home nurse service to do tests etc.
Bless you!
It is possible that the "almost catatonic state" might be when and shortly after a mini stroke.
This should be brought to her doctors attention. If it is possible that the episode could be captured on video it might help. Obviously you can not have your phone out ready to video 24/7 but it might help if you have cameras put up with the ability to video. You would not have to keep all videos just one or two that show what is happening prior, during and after the episode.
Be certain she has a recent urinalysis test.
Be certain she is not medicated or self medicated, because this going from active to almost catatonic seldom happens without medications being involved.
Also know that dementias vary. Those that involve the brain's vascular system and mini strokes can result in much more irratic behavior as can Lewy's which has its "good moments" and its bad ones.
After you speak to MD, and after you look at a lot of Teepa Snow videos about various folks interacting with people with dementia, and if medications are checked out, you are then down to dealing with your own individual. Reactions in the dementia world are often as unique as our own thumbprints.