Details: My mom's always had depression, and for the most part, she's been able to fight it back with all of her strength. "If life kicks you down, it's time to start kicking back" was her favorite saying after a good cry. But now, she just can't get out of the funk, understandably.
She has moderate stage dementia. She was doing just fine, and her symptoms weren't nearly as severe, up until about a month ago. It was a sudden decline. She's having difficulty with pretty basic things, like calling up her bank to get her balance (she doesn't do any of her bills - I've been handling that for the past four years, but she does like to know her balance and withdrawal whatever left over money is to buy snacks from her local store). She's scared of trying anything because she doesn't know what to do. I couldn't imagine how frightening that would be, to suddenly forget how to do what you consider basic things that you used to do all the time.
What's made things worse recently is that the doctor started her on medication to help with the dementia, but the side effects are awful for the first few weeks. She's nauseous, can barely get out of bed, just wants to sleep all day. When I call her, and I call her easily three times a day, all I hear from her now is how sick she is and how she just wants to die. It's not her trying to get attention or to guilt me. I know that. She genuinely wants to die, and she feels lonely and all by herself in this. "I go to sleep every night and hope I don't wake up". It's so, so hard to hear that, and I cry every single time she says it. I feel so damn guilty, but I'm moving back in asap. In the meantime, she gets tons of calls from me, hour long conversations over the phone, and I spend my weekends with her. I'm just trying to get my ducks in row before moving in to take care of her. I need to find a part time job to quit my full time job because I have debt, and I need to work on getting my license, because I've never had access to a car to learn until now in my 20s (and as luck would have it, I've learned I have a fear of driving, so it's been a slow process, but I got my permit!!). My brother is there to offer help, but he can't do it often because he works 12 hour days with a wife and three kids under the age of 5. He does take her to all her doctor appointments, which is most important.
In the meantime though, we're in a stressful situation. She has antidepressants, but we took her off of them at her doctor's okay because as soon as these pills "kicked in", even though she was noticeably less depressed, my mom had this decline in her memory and abilities. So we were suspecting maybe they had something to do with it. We're starting her on it again. I don't know how to make her feel better. Even if I could take her out of the house, she feels so sick, she doesn't want to leave. How can I help her? How can I make her happy and help her through this? She has no hobbies other than her pets...I can't be there all the time right now, not with this job and running around trying to arrange POA and get her signed with Medi-Cal, and so on...I'm just so last right now...
The one thing that I would stress is that many people can't take the drugs that for Alzheimer's. Yes, they are worth a try. I've read different estimates but apparently around 30% of the people who take them have positive results. Even with plenty of room for error, that leaves well over half of the people who try them find they don't help, and most of them find that the side effects are too much.
Taking too many drugs can make take older people on a downward spiral. If your mom had an antidepressant that worked well, then maybe should should take it. However, confusion can be a very real side effect of some antidepressants so you were right to try to see if she is better without them.
Work closely with her doctor. Drugs can be the right call in many instances, but the older we get the more likely we are to have problems with them. Pile then on and we're looking for trouble.
All the best to you both. We'd love to hear how things are going when you have the time and energy to check in.
Carol
You asked how you can make her happy. Unfortunately you can't. There's nothing you can do to cure her depression. You have no more power over the depression than you would if she had heart disease. Depression is an illness that needs to be treated. There's more to it than finding something that makes your mom happy. Don't put that pressure on yourself.
Ultimately what helped was when I went back to college and she moved in with a retired couple who wanted to rent out a room. They had four little dogs that she loved like grandbabies and the man was home most of the day to chat with her or fix her snack or just watch movies with her. She was still depressed but at least functional and could enjoy herself a little bit before she had the stroke that ultimately took her away from us.
It's hard to think about because I see things all the time like "Dammit Dolls" or iPod therapy and wonder, what if I tried that with her? But that doesn't do anyone any good. At the end of the day you just have to live with the fact that you can't will her into happiness any more than she can will herself. When you try something that doesn't work it's sad, but it is a little freeing to remember that.
1. Call bank at 800 - xxx - xxxx.
2. Press 1 on telephone keypad to get info on balance.
3. Enter account number...and so on.
Be very specific, and go over it with her a few times; help her build her confidence in being able to do this.
Program her phone for speed dial and print out a list of the speed dial numbers and contacts. I usually put 911 first, then myself as second, and so on.
I can't imagine how much anxiety and fear your mother must feel, as if her faculties and abilities are slipping away and there's nothing she can do about it.
As to long term depression, I don't know of anyone's who's experienced it, nor do I have experience with specific medicines. But I always like to try safer remedies first. What did she used to do that she enjoyed? What kind of activities did she like? Does music soothe her?
If she likes animals, are there any neighbors who walk their dogs and would stop by for a visit? Would going to a pet store to see animals help, even if she doesn't want to go outside? Actually, getting outside now that the weather is nicer would probably be very good for her.
However, if she feels too sick to leave the house, perhaps there's something physical going on - might even be related to the new meds. Could you ask her doctor to script for home care? At least a few visits by a nurse could help determine if there are physical issues to address.
And if the meds seem to be contributing to memory and ability loss, ask about trying a different med.
First, do you have her signed Durable Power of Attorney and Healthcare POA? If not, is it too late to get her to sign them? Is she still competent enough to sign them? I'd discuss it with an Elder Law attorney immediately. It's very difficult to be her advocate if you don't have those documents. If you don't, you will likely need to get legal advice on what to do next.
I would also discuss her meds with her doctor and report all threats she has made. Sometimes, the meds that are designed to help put the symptoms of dementia at bay for a while cannot be tolerated. And, there are a a lot of people who don't see that they are that helpful, when compared to the side effects. If her prior meds for depression/anxiety were really helping her, then I would discuss how they may be more important with her mental health. Inquire about the dementia progressing, with or without those new meds.
I would put my primary focus on trying to protect her right now. Having her handling her own finances past a certain point is risky, since she could get conned or make terrible decisions. I'd try to redirect her from banking and money issues. I'd get that out of her hands for her own protection.
Also, after the early stages of dementia, leaving the person alone for any amount of time is risky. As she progresses, it will likely take shifts of people to care for her. Is doing that in the home alone feasible? Does she have funds to pay people to come in to help? You can't work 24/7 for 365 days a years.
For dementia patients that's the care that is needed. Do you have reliable family members who can come and help? I would research all that is involved to see if quitting your job is a wise move. There are so many ways this could end up causing you grief. I would research all of your options, depending on her resources and see what makes the most sense.
I would keep in mind that dementia patients are often anxious, confused and discontented. That's the nature of it. Often medication is needed to help when there is mental pain. Often providing a favorite meal, giving a hug or smile can make them happy. I'd focus on simple things and understand her limitations. I wish you all the best.
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