My dad has had alzheimers for at least 15 years.  His current symptoms are:

-Difficulty speaking--cannot complete a sentence/idea.

-Bladder and bowl incontinence.

-Inability to independently undress and bathe.

-Difficulty following instructions--easily confused.

-Cannot walk independently.

-Cannot independently navigate in the house in which he has lived for 44 years.

    e.g. Does not know where the bathroom is.

-Sleeps all night and most of the day.

-He is more alert when there are visitors, but increasingly less over the past 

   three months.

-He is able to eat independently, but drinks little.  He has to be reminded  

   throughout the day to drink.

-He has very dark urine and was recently referred to a urologist, but no

   infection was identified.

-He was more animated in June 2010, but by the middle of October he has  

   shown minimal facial expression.

I'm confused.  What stage is he in? 

NC

10/26/10 9:07pm

This is obviously at least stage 6 due to the incontinence. He could be in late stage 6 or stage 7. He is still eating so maybe it is not at the very end.

 

However, this urine issue is important and he is very sick with that kind of dark color. Has the urologist suggested anything? Maybe hospice can make him comfortable.

 

Regards,
Nina

akrunr

10/27/10 5:21pm

Thanks, Nina.  I knew he was in at least stage 6, but I agree that the issue with his kidney has become a real problem.  He has seen a urologist who has run blood and urine tests and performed a CT, but the urologist has made my parents wait several weeks for a diagnosis.  Another serious issue is that he can barely have blood drawn and an IV due to collapsed veins.   

 

Dad will see his urologist late next week, and I am concerned that there isn't anything that can be done for him.