Thursday, May 31, 2012

Friday, January 09, 2009 Mary Kay Snyder asks

Q: What makes a dementia sufferer stay in bed for 24 hrs?

My mother is 92 yrs old,an has dementia,she takes meds,such as heart medicine,aspirin and another percription to help her eat more food.Can't remember the name of it.Well,anyway,my sister is the caregiver for my mother and she told me that our mother stayed in bed for 24hrs,but was offered her meds/water/food.Our mother refused all 3.This was the 1st time,my sister noticed it and was concerned greatly.My mother's response was get the hell out of my room,and leave me alone! The 2nd time was just a few days ago,my sister again gave my mother her meds,water & left food in her room for her too eat. The following day,mom had no cue for her actions.She forgets alot and has a compulsive behavior. What causes this to happen?

 

                             Concerned by youngest daughter,

 

                                                          Ms.Snyder

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Answers (2)
AFA Social Services, Health Guide
1/12/09 4:58pm

Your mother’s behavior could be for several reasons apart from the dementia diagnosis.  Whenever there are behaviors that are unexplained, it is imperative that your mother seeks medical attention.  It is possible that your mother has an infection or other medical condition that could be causing her change in behavior.  In addition, it is possible that your mother is suffering from depression.  Her refusal to take medications, drink or eat, as you described, puts her at risk for medical conditions, including becoming undernourished or dehydrated.  

 

It is important that individuals with dementia are kept active and stimulated daily.  Enrolling your mother in an adult day program or another type of social activity could be helpful.  During the day, she could benefit from participating in recreational activities and socializing with others could help motivate her to get out of bed daily.  In addition to outside programs, you can try to engage her in activities at home.  Implementing simple activities such as crossword puzzles, folding laundry, music, or cooking can all be enjoyable.  She will feel productive while also stimulating her mind and body.  

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2/21/09 8:22pm

With dementia ANY activities can become difficult. I have been trying. I can hold my mother in laws attention for about .5 minutes. Usually the first sign of needing more care / the end is a refusal to eat or so I have read. Depression, lack of ability or desire to do anything (but watch TV) coupled with repetitive weird obsessive compulsive behaviors (including hostility) are all sometimes part of the progression of the disease and really hard parts to know how to handle. Depending on her wishes she may need food by IV at the hospital if the refusing to eat at home continues. Do not be afraid to encourage your sister to ask for help it can take awhile to get it.

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By Mary Kay Snyder— Last Modified: 10/26/11, First Published: 01/09/09