Does a person forget how to walk in the end stages of alzheimers. My mom has lost her ability to use the toilet,feed herself and is now struggling to walk. She has also lost the ability to finish a sentence. This has all occurred during the last 4 months. It all seems so fast now. She has also been diagnosed with seizures a few weeks ago.
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Q: do you forget how to walk in the late stages of alzheimers
Answers (3)
3/ 6/10 6:54am
Hi Terry
It is true that as Alzheimer's disease progresses and brain damage increases that motor function, walking, swollowing, toilet function etc. can all be affected and continue to deteriorate. But as Joseph rightly points out, people with Alzheimer's get sick too so you do need medical advice.
Christine
3/ 7/10 5:30am
Hi Terry
No it is not easy.
I am so pleased to hear that you have a great caregiver who can care for your mom while you are at work. It sounds like a very good way of keeping her out of a nursing home for as long as possible. A team approach provides for her needs and helps minimize mental and physical exaustion, but it is still difficult.
You just have to do the best you can and it does sound as though you are doing a great job.
All my best wishes-keep in touch
Christine
3/ 6/10 1:14am
Hello Terry, Although I am not a medical professional and have no personal experience with the end stage of Alzheimer's disease or severely advanced dementia, it is my understanding that incontinence, toileting, feeding, dressing, speaking, holding up the head and walking are all typical failures in the very late stages of the illness. Before accepting this as a normal consequence of the illness, you should investigate the possibility of another health problem exacerbating these symptoms. Urinary tract infections, kidney issues and other types of problems will often cause these symptoms, too. If it turns out to be a secondary cause, your mom may regain some function and show improvement after these conditions have been treated. The sudden onset could occur due to the primary illness or a secondary condition. Both can present rapid changes in function and ability. I hope that this is helpful. -- Joe --
3/ 6/10 8:14pm
Hi Joseph, My mom has been to her cardiologist, neurologist, and her internist several times in the past 4 months. They just won't say the words end stages.
She did have one UTI back in December,however even after antibiotic treatment she did'nt get any better neurologically. Today she did'nt know my son or me. This disease is really the pits. Thank you for your input. I guess we are at the end stages.
3/ 6/10 3:00pm
Hi Terry, Like what Joe and Christine mentioned, these are part of the end stage symptoms. But you also need to make sure first if it is not from other sickness, like stroke or heart failure. My FIL has stage 6 Alzheimer's, but he has walking problem in late 2007 due to both heart failure and Alzheimers. Now he walks with a cane. Usually it is 2 diseases interwinded for these elders because dementia complicates things more.
It is possible that she is in the end stage given all these symptoms (seizure and etc) but do check with the doctor to make sure what is going on. If it is near end stage, you may consider 24 hours attention or hospice later. But do make sure what is going on first.
Take care,
Nina
3/ 6/10 8:26pm
Hi NC, Thank You for your reply. My mom has had 24/7 care for over a year now. We are trying to keep her out of a nursing home for as long as we can. It is getting harder on her caregiver who happens to be fantastic with my mom. We are lucky to have her. She really cares about my mother. A little over a year ago I was my mom's caregiver. She had gotten to the point that she couldnt be left alone all day while I was at work. Thanks again Terry
3/ 7/10 1:02pm
That is good that you can keep her at home. You are so wonderful to your Mom. We cannot live with my FIL so we have to move him to a nice assisted living home for Alzheimer's this summer to save the home care expenses.
Hope things will improve and she will stay at home longer.
Take care,
Nina
3/ 8/10 9:04pm
You are a great daughter in law for being there for your FIL. We were just lucky that my mother had a little nest egg that has allowed us to keep her in her home,however it's dwindling fast. I hope your FIL is doing well. Good Luck with him. Take care of yourself too.
3/ 7/10 2:44pm
Hi Terry,
You are doing so much for your mom. It's painful to accept end stages of this disease, but you are doing your best. Since she has had so much medical attention, you know you are on solid footing. Having a caregiver to help who really does care about your mom is such a gift.
Take care. We're thinking of you.
Carol
3/ 8/10 8:58pm
Thank You Carol I appreciate your support.
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By terry— Last Modified: 10/26/11, First Published: 03/05/10
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Hi Christine, Thanks for to her team of your reply. Since my mom has been to her team of doctors I guess the sad truth is that my mom is in end stage alzheimers.
It's not easy that's for sure.