She is 90 years old and I am finding her asleep in her chair more and more or sleeping on the bed during times when she would usually be awake. She does not take any sleeping meds of any kind.
Walking is hard for her, but she used to be able to manage short distances. Now just a walk around the house or some stairs is very hard for her.
Today it took notice with everyone in my family. I found my mother (who is an R.N.) and sister crying together in the kitchen telling me how she does not look good anymore and how she (grandmother) tried to walk around the house but it was too much for her.
It's happening too quickly. She hasn't been like this less than a month ago.
Any insight/opinion is greatly appreciated for me to find a way to maybe put some pep back into her or anything that could help. Thank you.
If she is getting proper nutrition and proper caregiving (which she obviously is) I would be inclined to let her be. Hugs
Have you tried using the Colgate Wisp disposable toothbrush? These are very soft and at least accomplish some surface cleaning and result is fresher breath.
I would be hesitant re the stress of a dental visit. Even a cleaning can be stressful.
With Moms dementia I have learned the hard way to keep my fingers away from her mouth.
Of course I have also learned to stay out of striking distance when she is hostile
Last Saturday my grandmother was taken to the emergency by ambulance because she looked more pale than ever before and couldn't sleep well because she said she felt very very sick.
She was placed in a room by herself in the emergency section, but was later placed in a critical care room because they found out she had low blood pressure and an irregular/slow heartbeat.
One doctor suggested a pacemaker. The risks of her getting an infection later or dying on the table was something me and my mom did not want to take a chance on. We really did not know what to do until another doctor suggested a blood transfusion and that he believes her heart was most likely always slow/irregular.
Her problem was that her blood did not contain a normal amount of red blood cells so they gave her a blood transfusion with red cell concentrated blood. She was at the hospital for 4 days with me and my mom taking 10 hour shifts to stay by her side and make sure she was not alone and had someone to talk to and not get too confused or worried to what was happening to her.
Fortunately the blood transfusion improved her blood pressure and heartbeat and she came back home yesterday evening. My family and I have to keep a close eye on her for now since she has trouble walking from laying down on the hospital bed for a long time.
Also she needs to improve her fluid intake. On top of everything she also had a UTI.
So far though she looks more brighter and is not complaining of feeling ill. I go and talk to her once ever hour or two to see if she needs anything or I give her some water or juice in a small cup. We are all taking it step by step with her.
That is great news, linda! It made me smile when I read that.
As far as brushing her teeth goes she can do it herself with no issues, but I have to watch over her and make sure she actually does it. So I basically just lead her into the washroom and make sure all goes well before she sleeps. Her gums look a little raw so I have to make sure she doesn't brush too hard.
I can't thank you two and everyone else who posted in this thread enough for the kind words, suggestions and insight. You are all so incredibly wonderful .
i hate it when my dad gets sick , its heart breaking , he just had uti also and is now takin antibodi for it . was tested again yesterday and its cleared up .
youre a good person and i bet your grandma appreciates you . xoxo .
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