Caregiving- Alzheimer’s in the Family

I thought long and hard about what to share about this journey. I have omitted some things that may be helpful due to the sensitive nature of the discussion or actions of my mother.

I have decided to blog about my experience as primary (only) caregiver. Most information deals with the patient and what they go through with little thought given to the carer. Even though the whole family is affected by the disease.

25% of dementia patients are kept at home until they pass. 40% of caregivers die before the person they are taking care of. This is from a Stanford Medical recent study. Exhaustion and stress cause a myriad of illnesses in the caregiver. What happens to the dementia patient if their caregiver can no longer care for them? It’s another issue to plan for so your loved one doesn’t become “a ward of the state.” I recommend researching facilities and placing your loved one on the waiting list even if you plan to keep them at home. I wish that I had taken this step.

Often when you realize that you can’t keep them at home, you are already at the end of your abilities and the wait for a place can be months away. There is also a lot of paperwork if you can’t afford the care and there is no road map about how to proceed. Fortunately I have friends who could point me in the right direction.

This past week has been hard to navigate for both me and mom. She has gone days without speaking to me and gets angry when all I’m doing is trying to keep her safe. She told me on Sunday that I was mean and hateful because I reminded her that she couldn’t walk around without her walker. She still wants me to go home and let her live alone. She can’t. It’s also obvious that I cannot keep her safe.

You cannot reason with a dementia person. Mom, at present, has no depth perception and sees no danger. When she falls and has to have a broken bone repaired, she will most likely go into delirium and not come out of it. This means nothing to her. She doesn’t understand that she can’t take her Rollator up and down steps and she gets mad as heck when I stop her. I’m so mean.

Mom’s heart rate has been in the mid forties for a few weeks due to the A-Fib. We saw the cardiologist on Monday about her issues which includes all 4 of her heart valves leaking. I really liked Dr. Cooper as he took his time with us and explained everything and answered my questions respectfully.

He told me that mom is not a surgical candidate and that she can not take any type of blood thinner because of her skin picking. Finally a doctor that gets it. He started her on Amiodarone 200 mg twice a day for 2 weeks then 200 mg once a day unless her pulse drops below 50. This drug should help regulate her heart rate. He stopped the Cardizem permanently and we will wean off the Lopressor over the next 3 weeks. Once acclimated to the new drug he hopes to stop some of her other medications. Something I’ve asked for multiple times.

Amiodarone can cause many issues with heart and lungs, etc. Dr. Cooper explained that with mom being 83 and the issues show up 7-10 years down the road, we shouldn’t have to worry about the contraindications. Since mom can’t take the blood thinners, she is at a very high risk for stroke. The Doctor believes that this medication will improve her quality of life, even with dementia.

After the cardiology appointment Glenda came to stay with mom so that I could go home to take care of things and get a mini break. When I got back to mom’s Glenda said that she asked her multiple times where I was and if I was trying to put her in a “old folks home.” I’ve not spoken to mom about this yet so I know that at some level she knows that it’s time.

After Glenda left mom quit talking to me again, even when I directly address her. I decided to blog and maybe get her in bed early tonight. This living in imposed silence is hard. I had a little panic attack tonight and I haven’t had one in years. Existing like this is miserable. Mom has no quality of life and I’m not really living. Hopefully, a bed will open soon and I can get more therapy and get back to a life that I recognize as my own.

I’m so thankful for my friends and relatives that “get it” and support both mom and me. You all mean the world to me and help me make it through each day. I love you all so much.

More later.