Ah. The sweet smells of Spring.
As I recall, last year, at this time (I wasn't blogging then) Mom was in her first full month at St. A's. She wasn't happy. She was convinced she'd been hijacked by my two oldest brothers, and her furniture was, as well.
There was confusion, but moreover, she was as angry as a swarm of bees about her furniture being in her room. She stated quite often and clearly, that she would prefer it go back "home" and she'd be content to sleep on the floor. Well, we couldn't let that happen.
We learnt, too, that too many activities with the family made her somewhat grouchy and demanding. Remember, we were all in the learning stages of the illness and her condition, as well. Some of us were exhausted from the emotional and physical stress of dealing with the matters at hand, and, of course, having to deal with this situation.
Mom was shuffling and stooped as she walked. She complained about her right side and shoulder being quite tender and shooting pains going up and down. Vicodin wasn't working very well, and we were having some troubles getting the doctor to see her (especially in the fall, when the doctor decided not to make in-house calls anymore).
As to her medications, Mom was having an issue with the vitamin C pills - they were large, and she complained they were a bit dry. Now she has gummies - and she enjoys them.
It would appear she is growing better. But appearances can be false! Oh! Fie! Fie! Fie!
I was able to find the following link to a pdf from the National Institute on Aging, - it's free, and it's on LBD, symptoms, medications, etc. Even though I've been reading a great deal on this form of dementia, knowing there are so many out there who've not realized it exists, it really puts things together in a concise, easy to understand manner.
Here it is: Lewy-Body-Syndrome-Pamphlet
Now, you can download it, print it, whatever. It does a great job of explaining.
As I was perusing and poring over the text, I had to think about the changes in Mom over the year.
1. Hallucinations - These are still occuring, but they are quite benign compared to earlier before diagnosis. The medications seem to have lessened them to memories, or at least dreams that seem to be real for her. A Positive!
2. Shuffling & Walking - Since she began Physical Therapy, and the Massages are Deep Tissue now, she is more able to get around without the stooped posture, and the pain has lessened, although the complaints are there. Her massage therapist reports that she complains of pain in certain areas which are consistent from week - to - week. This is also a positive, but the pains will probably grow with stiffness as the disease progresses.
3. Troubles Swallowing - This is now growing more evident. At first, as I stated above, she had some issues with the pills. She still seems to have some problems, but the staff puts some pills in with pudding, which helps her swallow them with more ease. I tend to give her a milkshake or ice cream which makes her face light up while she swallows them.
Yesterday, at lunch, after the dentist visit (they were so wonderful! They didn't even charge!), I took her for a drive around the area and then to a pub. She was having difficulty swallowing her hamburger. Once in a while, this would be normal, but she had problems with most of the meal - and drank a great deal of water and iced tea. This gave me pause, as I hadn't thought about this issue much in the past.
4. Stooped Posture - Mom is gaining weight - probably from lack of hearty exercise she had grown so used to with her hiking groups, and her daily walks. But she seems to be standing taller now, and I believe this is owed to the massages and the P/T.
5. Mood Changes - Mom has been quite pleasant! This isn't to say she wasn't a warm-hearted person before, but she seems to delight in the small things, now, that she would have poo-poo'd before as nice, but not important. It's quite interesting to take her about the city where she tells tales of childhood antics, her parents, friends, etc. Much may be true, but it's a way for her to relate.
Mom grows stubborn and churlish when her routine is changed - so when the staff goes on vacation she isn't too charmed about that.....
She does have her serious side more as usual, though. Now, it's all about moving her furniture back to her home; yet she does call St. A's home. She has laughed a little more than I recall in the past, as well.
6. Capgras Syndrome - Nope, not yet. This is where the patient is convinced someone close to them is an imposter and not really who they say they are. There are ways to handle this, but each person is different - luckily, not on the list of things to deal with yet.
7. Blood Pressure - Mom's blood pressure remains stable. She does take medication this, and enjoys adding the numbers. She hates the squeeze of the band, though. I mean, she HATES it!
I believe that's enough for now.
Do please read the pamphlet, though. It's actually quite complete, and makes me ponder as I read the other books.
Hopefully, Mom will be able to continue to hold off the progression, but for how long, we know not.
As I recall, last year, at this time (I wasn't blogging then) Mom was in her first full month at St. A's. She wasn't happy. She was convinced she'd been hijacked by my two oldest brothers, and her furniture was, as well.
Mom at lunch on Monday. She wasn't thrilled about the photo op - can you tell?
We learnt, too, that too many activities with the family made her somewhat grouchy and demanding. Remember, we were all in the learning stages of the illness and her condition, as well. Some of us were exhausted from the emotional and physical stress of dealing with the matters at hand, and, of course, having to deal with this situation.
Mom was shuffling and stooped as she walked. She complained about her right side and shoulder being quite tender and shooting pains going up and down. Vicodin wasn't working very well, and we were having some troubles getting the doctor to see her (especially in the fall, when the doctor decided not to make in-house calls anymore).
As to her medications, Mom was having an issue with the vitamin C pills - they were large, and she complained they were a bit dry. Now she has gummies - and she enjoys them.
It would appear she is growing better. But appearances can be false! Oh! Fie! Fie! Fie!
I was able to find the following link to a pdf from the National Institute on Aging, - it's free, and it's on LBD, symptoms, medications, etc. Even though I've been reading a great deal on this form of dementia, knowing there are so many out there who've not realized it exists, it really puts things together in a concise, easy to understand manner.
Here it is: Lewy-Body-Syndrome-Pamphlet
Now, you can download it, print it, whatever. It does a great job of explaining.
As I was perusing and poring over the text, I had to think about the changes in Mom over the year.
1. Hallucinations - These are still occuring, but they are quite benign compared to earlier before diagnosis. The medications seem to have lessened them to memories, or at least dreams that seem to be real for her. A Positive!
2. Shuffling & Walking - Since she began Physical Therapy, and the Massages are Deep Tissue now, she is more able to get around without the stooped posture, and the pain has lessened, although the complaints are there. Her massage therapist reports that she complains of pain in certain areas which are consistent from week - to - week. This is also a positive, but the pains will probably grow with stiffness as the disease progresses.
3. Troubles Swallowing - This is now growing more evident. At first, as I stated above, she had some issues with the pills. She still seems to have some problems, but the staff puts some pills in with pudding, which helps her swallow them with more ease. I tend to give her a milkshake or ice cream which makes her face light up while she swallows them.
Yesterday, at lunch, after the dentist visit (they were so wonderful! They didn't even charge!), I took her for a drive around the area and then to a pub. She was having difficulty swallowing her hamburger. Once in a while, this would be normal, but she had problems with most of the meal - and drank a great deal of water and iced tea. This gave me pause, as I hadn't thought about this issue much in the past.
4. Stooped Posture - Mom is gaining weight - probably from lack of hearty exercise she had grown so used to with her hiking groups, and her daily walks. But she seems to be standing taller now, and I believe this is owed to the massages and the P/T.
5. Mood Changes - Mom has been quite pleasant! This isn't to say she wasn't a warm-hearted person before, but she seems to delight in the small things, now, that she would have poo-poo'd before as nice, but not important. It's quite interesting to take her about the city where she tells tales of childhood antics, her parents, friends, etc. Much may be true, but it's a way for her to relate.
Mom grows stubborn and churlish when her routine is changed - so when the staff goes on vacation she isn't too charmed about that.....
She does have her serious side more as usual, though. Now, it's all about moving her furniture back to her home; yet she does call St. A's home. She has laughed a little more than I recall in the past, as well.
6. Capgras Syndrome - Nope, not yet. This is where the patient is convinced someone close to them is an imposter and not really who they say they are. There are ways to handle this, but each person is different - luckily, not on the list of things to deal with yet.
7. Blood Pressure - Mom's blood pressure remains stable. She does take medication this, and enjoys adding the numbers. She hates the squeeze of the band, though. I mean, she HATES it!
I believe that's enough for now.
Do please read the pamphlet, though. It's actually quite complete, and makes me ponder as I read the other books.
Hopefully, Mom will be able to continue to hold off the progression, but for how long, we know not.
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