My grandma has dementia (in Alzheimer's family) what should I do?

Question

My Grandma is slipping by fast. She started to act strange about three weeks ago to minor to severe. My Grandma is spitting out her pills and she hardly sleeps plus she is mainly mumbleing and when she talks nothing makes sense. Should I visit her when her mind is pretty much dead? Is there anything else that you think I can do? Thanks!!!

Answer 1

yes visit her speak to her . make sure she is well looked after . things like bed sores food bumps lumps all of that look for that and ask for real answers if you see such things.
while you granny may not seem to know you by name she does know a person is there someone is there and this person has taken the time to visit. although the outward signs of this illness show a person who does not seem aware as yet we don't really know how much they are aware of but unable to respond to . or if a delay in the thinking takes place so while your there at 1pm she doesn't know you but later maybe the next day for a few minutes she remembers you came.
this is an illness that is sad yes but is also one that allows for the demonstration of love with out returns. true caring and love for a person who may not ever again be able to say thank you . at least not in this life time. so yes go visit be calm don't get angry with her and check on her condition legs arms head all that for things i mentioned. pray with her as well .
may the Lord give you and all who deal with such matters strength to continue and faith to sustain them . in Jesus name i ask this.

Answer 2

Sadly one cannot stop this, one can only try and control it. Speak to her doctor about perhaps trying other medications. Is she under some kind of care where people make sure she takes her meds? If not, please see about crushing her tablets into her food to make sure she gets them, as accellerating this can be accelerating it even more.
Don't change how you are around her, right at the back of her mind there will be some lucidity, and to her that must be bweildering to her to say the least. When family doesn't visit, these people know and pretty much die quicker. We kept up our visits to my mother, and she degenerated slower than they expected, she died from COPD and not Alzheimers in the end.
I know how hard it must be for you, if you have young children their cisits need to stop or slow down aropund now, this can scare them very badly.

The scary thing is initially there is a form of treatment that can slow it dramatically, that teaches the brain to think differently, sadly it's too far gone by the time people acknowledge there's a problem. When they offered it to my mother she was in denial, and simply refused it.

All you can do is try and ease it, it's hard, but it's better than the regrets if you don't. After all, she didn't always used to be like this, and deserves some dignity in growing old with dementia.
I'm really sorry about this.

Answer 3

I am so sorry to hear about you grandmas dementia. I went through the same type of thing with my Dad before he passed away.

Some days he was seemingly unaware of my visits or other peoples visits, but then the next day he would be talking about the visit(s) to others or the nurses; so I knew that visiting him was important.

Just spend as much time with her that you can, talk to her softly about fun things that you have done together and just let her know that you love her.

On the days that she is mumbling and does not seem connected; just sit with her; she will know that you are there. If it is too difficult to visit on your own, have another family member or a close friend go with you.

I know that this is very difficult for you and your family. If you get to the point that you cannot bear to see her in the state she is in, you can make that decision also.

I had times when it was unbearably difficult to spend time with my Dad, but as I am an only child I had to do it. He and my mother did everything for me when I was growing up, and it was my honor and duty to him to visit as much as possible.

There are counselors available through the social services department in most nursing homes and hospitals and you can talk to them for some support and advise.

Please remember that your grandmother will always love you, and you will continue to have many wonderful memories of her to carry forward in your life.

I will pray for you and your grandmother and the rest of your family during this difficult time.

You are a wonderful and caring grandchild. Bless you.

Answer 4

I know where your coming from in that story a lot. One of my grandparents has dementia and well I rather not explain it. But yes spitting out pills hardly sleeping it sounds familiar to me unfornately...

The truth is that Dementia does progress worse over time cherish every moment you see her now and I mean it. Let her listen to her favorite music, her favorite tv shows but most importantly of all she needs her family more then ever during this time to stay by her side through good and bad times.

Keep hope alive but dont hope for to much 1% of dementia I believe can be reversed but in most cases it either gets no better or sadly gets worse. Visit her while her mind isnt completly gone.

Also what I found interesting is showing your grandparent pictures of them when they were well. it really makes them think a little.. remember her memories may be fading but your familiys memory of her when she was well will never fade.

Keep hope alive. May there one day be a cure to dementia? Perhaps medical technology has amazed before in the past so lets all keep some hope alive.

Answer 5

My grandfather has Alzheimer's. Unfortunately, there really is not much you can do. Depending on how old and strong you are, you should go on and visit her. It may not be for you, but just to check on her. Another unfortunate, this is not only true for my grandfather, but for all ppl with Alzheimer's, you need more help when they get that sick. A psychiatric (mental) hospital would be a good place to start. It will likely end up in a nursing home. By the way, don't go to visit her if you aren't that strong because once they take a bad turn like that, they can get violent.

Answer 6

I have dealt with two grandparents with dementia and it is a hard decision but one you need to make on you own. Some people find it hard to see a love one once they have dementia due to the fact that the person doesn't know who they are or doesn't remember the visit later on. If your grandma still knows who you are and you bring a smile to her face when she sees you then by all means visit her. It will brighten her day. If not, the decision is yours depending on how strong of a person you are. Just remember if she knows it is you one visit out of ten you have made a difference.

Answer 7

I was a CNA for many years, so I say that you should definatly see her. Sometimes, even just for a moment, thier mind returns. Her spirit will know that you are there. If she doesnt recognize you, then just tell her that you are her firiend and just want to spend time with her! All you can do at this point is be close to her. Enjoy her while she is here on this earth, it will make you feel good and you will bless her soul. Even though she may not show that she knows you, in her heart she does. It breaks my heart when people abondon thier family just because they have no memory!

Answer 8

You cant do anything to make her well. But you can visit her during her good, and bad times. It will help, believe me. My grandmother had Alzheimer's, and if I hadn't visited her I would have regretted it after she was gone. She enjoyed people, even when she couldn't show it, or even recognize them. She would have been even more miserable if no one was around. Good luck, this is a hard thing for families to deal with. I feel for you.

Answer 9

My Grandpa had alzheimers. Visit your Grandma as much as possible. She may not remember you, but when she does die you'll know you were there for her in her time of need.

Anything else you can do? Be there for your other family members. They're going through this, too.

Answer 10

There is nothing that you can do. Thats probably the worst way to loose a loved one. b/c you have to slowly watch them slip away and then when they are gone you don't even know if they knew what was going on. just spend as much time with her as you can. This might be the last moments you will ever see her. Just love her.