I've been thinking, pondering, musing, wondering....what have you, about how Mom has changed in the past months. Some of it is positive, but there are other factors that I find curious - and am looking for some answers....
First of all, most patients with dementia seem to have a personality change. They switch from one demeanor to the opposite. Most become angry and mean. Not Mom. She's grown sweet. What am I implying? I'll leave you to your own devices. There are those in her cottage who seem quite sweet and gentle. There are others, too, who are not ones you'd want to spend a great deal of time with, too.
Secondly, there is the weight gain. Mom has gained quite a bit. According to all the reports and statistics I've read, the majority of patients tend to lose weight. But, Mom's metabolism has slowed. She has grown more lethargic and unable to spend as much time moving about as she once did. Mom used to go hiking, play tennis, and have other assorted activities during the week. Yet, in the past years she's grown weary much more rapidly month-by-month. Perhaps it's been a growing trend for her; however, the weight gain has been quite noticeable. This is due, in fact, to her small dosage of quetiapine.
In the past year, we've seen Mom decline from wanting to take walks, go out and enjoy the elements, wanting to venture to a movie, or even go shopping, to someone who isn't quite sure what she would like to do.
She has gone from being a little-off conversationally, to someone who cannot carry much of one, unless re-directed. She has lost most sense of time - meaning that she isn't clear what day it is, nor what month. She does remember people, but not events.
Christmas happened a while ago, and visits fade quickly in her memory. She does have a flickery recall, but not as illuminating as a year ago.
Last year I could count on her to be up and at the go for Mass. Now, she bides her time, sleeping in, and not truly realizing what may be.
Last year she read. Now, she dabbles, but to no avail. No words from the page stick to her mind; she's happier looking at pictures in books or magazines, and sometimes reading an article, but don't inquire about the information.
She still does the crosswords, and enjoys Scrabble and Bingo! She does love a good visit, especially from the RLC.
Her bathing, once a norm, is off and on again.
She is hiding more things in drawers, and forgetting she actually has some items.
The disease is progressing, as evidenced in the pains on her side. This is normal. Eventually, I suspect this will begin to paralyze her on her right side, making movement more difficult. She shuffles, but not completely - and yet, alas, this too shall prevail.
It will be interesting to see how she does in 2015. How great a decline we've seen this year - what will the next bring?
 |
| Mom with her friend, Sally J., many moons ago |
First of all, most patients with dementia seem to have a personality change. They switch from one demeanor to the opposite. Most become angry and mean. Not Mom. She's grown sweet. What am I implying? I'll leave you to your own devices. There are those in her cottage who seem quite sweet and gentle. There are others, too, who are not ones you'd want to spend a great deal of time with, too.
Secondly, there is the weight gain. Mom has gained quite a bit. According to all the reports and statistics I've read, the majority of patients tend to lose weight. But, Mom's metabolism has slowed. She has grown more lethargic and unable to spend as much time moving about as she once did. Mom used to go hiking, play tennis, and have other assorted activities during the week. Yet, in the past years she's grown weary much more rapidly month-by-month. Perhaps it's been a growing trend for her; however, the weight gain has been quite noticeable. This is due, in fact, to her small dosage of quetiapine.
In the past year, we've seen Mom decline from wanting to take walks, go out and enjoy the elements, wanting to venture to a movie, or even go shopping, to someone who isn't quite sure what she would like to do.
She has gone from being a little-off conversationally, to someone who cannot carry much of one, unless re-directed. She has lost most sense of time - meaning that she isn't clear what day it is, nor what month. She does remember people, but not events.
Christmas happened a while ago, and visits fade quickly in her memory. She does have a flickery recall, but not as illuminating as a year ago.
Last year I could count on her to be up and at the go for Mass. Now, she bides her time, sleeping in, and not truly realizing what may be.
Last year she read. Now, she dabbles, but to no avail. No words from the page stick to her mind; she's happier looking at pictures in books or magazines, and sometimes reading an article, but don't inquire about the information.
She still does the crosswords, and enjoys Scrabble and Bingo! She does love a good visit, especially from the RLC.
Her bathing, once a norm, is off and on again.
She is hiding more things in drawers, and forgetting she actually has some items.
The disease is progressing, as evidenced in the pains on her side. This is normal. Eventually, I suspect this will begin to paralyze her on her right side, making movement more difficult. She shuffles, but not completely - and yet, alas, this too shall prevail.
It will be interesting to see how she does in 2015. How great a decline we've seen this year - what will the next bring?
No comments:
Post a Comment