Community Chat

[Lotus]

Thanks Jazz...I'm going to print a Health Care Proxy from the computer...the POA needs to be done by an attorney.

[pitdakota]

Hi Lotus. Awww doggone it. I am so sorry you are going through this with your mother.

Glad to see you had some great people here though that chimed in and offered their experiences and advice.

As far as the result of the brain scan....the scans really only pick up the atrophy and can't distinguish any other changes in the brain related to dementia. And as a rule they consider atrophy of the brain in someone is their mid 70s and older a normal part of the aging process.

MRI and CT scans can pick up strokes, major vascular abnormalities such as aneurysms and such, but they are not particularly diagnostic for dementia. The main reason they do them in this case is to rule out a stroke or some other neurological problem that might account for the memory loss, etc.

Great advice here and I also agree to get the health care proxy and POA as soon as possible. Great that you are seeing an elder care attorney.

Big hugs to you (((Lotus))))

[kdgn]

Lotus, mom had dementia for a few years before she decided to stop the meds. I didn't know, didn't recognize it. It's only by knowing what I know now and looking back that I can pinpoint the approximate time this started. Truthfully? Many of the signs are related to Alzheimer's but her PCP didn't feel she had that one. I don't think it developed into it either.

She did start to take Aricept about a year after the TIA. I don't know why her PCP didn't get her into a neurologist sooner. At that time a PCP couldn't prescribe the meds. The neuro did and it was a 5 week trial. The first 4 weeks were at the 5 mg, the 5th week was 10 mg. I know things have changed since then-this was almost 9 years ago. At that time she was in assisted living, long story that I won't go into. Anyway, the staff noticed an improvement and so did I. She became more focused, less confused. No, it did not restore her short term memory but it helped in her every day functions. I'd say within 6 months her PCP put her on Namenda in addition to the Aricept.

I couldn't tell you if those two meds helped the last three years of her life or not but I wasn't about to authorize discontinuing them!! They helped her for almost 4 years-

[pitdakota]

kdgn, so sad that they didn't admit your Mom so that she would receive her BP meds. Was there any particular reason they kept her in the ER that night? Was it because they were short on hospital beds?

[minkbunny]

Lotus, while I cannot offer any practical advice, I would like to give you and your mom a hug. It must be so scary for both of you.

[Lotus]

Thank you pity...

kdgn...I've noticed a slight improvement with her. The short term memory is still the same but she doesn't seem to be as "uptight and upset"....she seems more grounded for lack of a better term.

It is very difficult to be working and taking care of things at the same time. My sister is out of state, so it falls on me. I don't mind....she was always there for me and still is in a sense...but it can be overwhelming at times.

Going to bed.....didn't sleep well last night at all.

Sweet dreams ladies.

[kdgn]

Yes, Pit, they were short on beds. At the time my BIL was a patient there but had spent about two days in the ER prior to being admitted.

She didn't get her meds at all. When I got to her bed the nurse was giving her an injection in the stomach area. I asked what was going on and was told her BP had soared. She should have had her own meds a couple of hours before and I said so. The nurse told me that the ER doctor found no record of mom's PCP sending a medication list.

I knew that was an outright lie. I had been there when the fax came in, was told it was in. I had also told the paramedics exactly what meds she took and the dosage. I had it all written down in a File of Life on her fridge. I also carried a copy in my purse. The doctor found no record because he hadn't looked. The nurse in question found the medication paperwork immediately after I confronted her.

So she hadn't had her meds the day before or that morning. I wanted her out of that place ASAP.

[Lotus]

On 10/14/2014 pitdakota said:

kdgn, so sad that they didn't admit your Mom so that she would receive her BP meds. Was there any particular reason they kept her in the ER that night? Was it because they were short on hospital beds?

Pity...I learned the other night that you can insist that a patient be admitted.

In order for a patient to be eligible for Medicare in a nursing home, they must be admitted in a hospital for at least 3 days and then be transferred to the nursing home.

Many hospitals are now doing what is called "Observation Status", which is not a full admit. I had never heard of this prior to my Elder Care class the other night.

http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/10/fighting-observation-status/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r...

ETA.....kdgn...that is a travesty what they did to your poor mom. I work in a hospital and if there aren't enough beds and the pt needs to be admitted...they ARE admitted and then stay in the ER till a bed on a floor becomes available. They are treated as if they were on a floor.

Minky....thank you for the hug...I could use it.

[pitdakota]

Lotus, no problem at all. Although I don't think that information is all that helpful. Many of us have traveled this road Lotus and we know too well the stress, the responsibility, and the frustration involved. The roles change. Your mother now becomes the child and you become the adult with the responsibility for them.

I am an only child and trying to work full time and take care of Mom. It isn't easy. Hang in there sweetie. Glad to hear though that your Mom seems to be improving with the anxiety.

You know where we are if you need us!!

Get a good night's sleep tonight!!

ETA: Yes, you can insist on admission as Observation. But as you know, they have to have an available bed in the hospital to admit. And one other catch is that Medicare does not have to pay for routine home medications if they are an observation status. So if that ever happens, be sure and ask for the right to bring in her meds from home.

[kdgn]

Lotus- My best to you and your mom as you undertake this new journey. "More grounded" is an excellent way to put it!

She knows she's forgetting things and it's frustrating for her. I saw it. Keeping daily events down to a routine really works. The more stable the routine, the better.

I did discover that certain personality traits became more pronounced. I knew my mom was on the stubborn side, but man!! Her tact disappeared and so did her immense self-control. The latter was a bit of a blessing because she finally allowed herself to show emotion. She had always been so reserved but she lost a lot of that. Ready smiles, laughter, hugs, kisses.... In some ways I was able to see a woman that I wished I'd known growing up. I was able to see the younger version of her before tragedy struck the family.

Any questions please feel free to ask. Take a daily dose of patience which was something I sometimes lacked in the early days.