She's in good general health aside from the AD. Shes 91, and depressed, but doesn't do well at all on anti-depression meds. She just recently started to take her Seroquel and thyroid meds; she refused for a while and that sure wasn't helpful with her behavior.
The staff is always cheerfully willing to keep me informed on mom's meds, behavior, daily intake, output, and everything in between. I've only missed visiting her four days since she's been there, so feel like we're seeing regular staff/resident activites and interaction.
Mom has a triple whammy as she is very hard of hearing with an aid, and has dry mac degen on top of the AD. We're blessed that she still knows us, but do expect that to change one day. She thankfully sleeps well which is great since a bad reaction to Remeron. Good report today with food AND liquids! :-)
She is still on Remeron and it's a great med for her (along with Exelon patch and a vertigo drug). But it seems she has entered the last phase of Lewy and is starting to have difficulty in "connecting the dots" in eating and other ADL's. She will go to the dining room at the correct time in her walker or wheelchair to eat, will sit happily at a table and will be hungry but she cannot figure out which utensil to use to start eating and so just sits there. The staff will put a fork in her hand and then into the food and then she is good and eats almost everything but if they didn't do that, it wouldn't happen. Her NH medical director really tries not to give them Boost or other food supplement, as they feel it makes them feel full and they will loose the rhythm in eating/chewing/etc as they aren't hungry.
How has her care plan conference gone? Has there been a rep from all NH services - dietary, social, activities and nursing? The DON may even stop by (Director of Nursing and the god or goddess in the NH). This is a good time to find out how she is adjusting, how she is feeding and what she is joining in and if she should be considered for hospice or if they have other suggestions that they need for you to ask for. If you have issues or ?'s, I'd start writing them down and take this list to the meeting EVEN IF you have discussed any of this with staff prior. Make sure that whatever they have on file for her advance directives is correct so that there is not feeding tubes or transfusions or whatever her wishes are, are in her file. My mom's AD clearly states no transfusions but this wasn't written in the front cover of her chart. You just have to double check stuff. Good luck.
Thanks again for all your care & concern. ♥
Equinox