my gran is 92 and has dementia she has lost the ability to talk over the last few weeks now she isnt able to?

Question

swallow isnt eating and now has to be forced to take very little amounts of fluid through a syringe how long can she go on like this its heart breaking we no it wont be long we just dont want her to suffer anymore

Answer 1

have you spoken to a healthcare professional?
i know its very hard to go thru and i feel she should now be at hospital

Answer 2

You would be surprized how long someone can live this way. It depends more on if she is having trouble breathing or if she has expressed previously if she was ready to die. Often people with dementia slowly stop eating. The body may be ready to pass but the other organs (lungs, heart, brain) can be quite healthy. If you don't want her to suffer anymore, you can always considered withdrawling fluids. But you and your family may just want to be patient and let nature take its course.

Often a living will is a good thing to have to keep her from being put on a respirator or giving her things that will keep her artificially alive longer than necessary.

She is passing through a process. Unless she gets an infection (common are respiratory or urinary) or has an acute respiratory event (like choking)...she will take her time. Of course, if she is really thin and malnourished it could be less time.

I have worked with these kinds of patients off and on for years. These criteria are what I use to guess life expectancy. Just keep her comfortable. Give her pain medication if she is hurting. And be sweet to her. Hearing is the last thing to go. Even if she doesn't talk or communicate, she is listening. Unless she is deaf. Remember touch is comforting.

Good luck. I am sorry for your future loss, but it is great that you care.

Forgot to mention: life expectancy can be two weeks to maybe 1.5 months at the very longest.

Answer 3

My grandmother died last year. Suffered from dimentia for over 10 years. It's very sad to say this but I would say that once a person has reached the point of not eating by themselves, the end is very near. You can have her put on a feeding tube and she could actually last quite a while. However, what kind of quality of life is that? Once a person is bed-ridden, you have the non-stop problem of trying to avoid bed sores. In addition, lack of exercise leads to muscle break-down. I would suggest to you that considering her age (92 is a very long life), that it is time to let her go. People have a fear of pulling a feeding tube out because they picture horrible images of a person starving to death. It is not like that at all however. The doctors will be giving her a Morphine drip to mask any pain.

Answer 4

I'm really sorry about your gran.There's no answer to this question,there's no cure.Your gran can still hear you,so keep on talking to her,tell her how much you love her.Your gran will go onto a new life that she's earned.I know how heart-broken this will leave you,but be happy for her.I think that by now,your gran will be hovering between this world and the next,meeting her old family and friends.I don't think she will feel any pain.I wish I could be of more help,but my thoughts are with you.

Answer 5

I hope you have hospice helping you if not please inquire to see if they can help you If you are having hospice help you at this very trying time then they are the best at answering these questions and helping her to be pain free. My grandmother passed away last year she was 98 when she was 92 they found she had colon cancer towards the end approx 6 months it was not good for her but she did stay home and never saw a doctor after her diagnoises I will after going through this time in our families life be so thankful for the men and women of hospice they helped out more than words could say they truley are angles she was comforted by them and was as prepared as anyone could be to know that it was okay to go on. they also helped our family with the issues of lossing a loved one please if you have not already done so get in contact with them

Answer 6

Dementia/Alzheimer's is a terrible disease. It robs people of their dignity. My mother had it and I can sympathize with you. In it's advanced stages, people forget how to eat and swallow and this hastens their death. If there is any sign of physical suffering, you should contact a local hospice. They can give her what is called an epidermal patch. It is a patch that is applied to her skin and the pain medication is absorbed through it. Tearfully, the only thing I can say is that you pray that God in his (or her) infinite mercy takes her in a painless and timely way. I have been there, my thoughts, prayers and tears are with you ;-(

Answer 7

It sounds like your grandmother is in the final stages of dementia. When a person with dementia stops eating, it usually indicates that the end is near (which can really be a blessing).

Losing the ability to talk is very common in patients with dementia but does not indicate that the end is near.

Keep her comfortable and try to keep her dignity intact as she is still in there.
God bless her and you.

Answer 8

Did she have a Living Will, or had she given Power of Attorney to any family member?
If not, talk to her physician about what course of care is available.
I'm so sorry for you and your gran. Watching someone slip away is heart wrenching.
When you're with her, talk to her and tell her how much you love her. Talk about good times you had with her. You never know how much of what she hears gets through to her, and might be of comfort to her.

Answer 9

Talk with her doctor or the attending nurse. It depends upon the health of the individual before the disease took hold, and how long she has been dealing with it. Spend the most amount of time with her you can, tell her you love her, and pray that she doesn't go through much pain.

My prayers are with you and your grandmother.

Answer 10

I'm sorry. She'll go on until God and her decide when is the right time. I know it must be hard for you. God bless you!