I am in a skilled nursing facility watching myself cognitively decline after a difficult uterine cancer surgery. At first I thought it was a stroke, but the NP said I didn't have any symptoms, and said I was expressing myself "OK". However, every communication is being done with a lot of pauses, use of alternate words, and changing of subject, when the wanted words just will not come. I feel as if my head is in a large bubble and the words are floating away. I am sleeping almost continuously, except when involved in PT or eating. I can hardly stay awake, although the PT says I should be walking as much as possible. I wonder if it's depression. I have been here just one week and I am not the same person I was when I got here. I have no idea what I should do or who I should talk to. My niece, living in Montana has also noticed the difference when we talk on the phone. Otherwise, I don't have any other family.
She dropped a term that I had never heard before - but it made a ton of sense to me. "Institutional Dementia". I had always known that people who were extremely isolated at home, especially the elderly, could begin to display dementia-like symptoms if they went without contact and stimulation for long periods of time. For some reason my brain had completely overlooked the fact that it happens in care facilities because of the interactions with staff and other residents.
BUT, after seeing just how much my FIL has chosen to limit his contact with other people by choice, and of course the staff only has so much time - I can 100% see just how easily that type of isolation and lack of stimulation could occur in a setting where you are surrounded by tons of people as well.
Now, my FIL DOES have dementia as well. And he has been diagnosed with depression - MUCH of which has to do with his choice to self isolate. We have STRONGLY encouraged him to spend as much time as possible out of his room, to find activities to engage in, etc. Anything to keep him out of his bed and out of his room. He refuses. And as such, his isolation, his depression, his institutional dementia and his actual dementia are all increasing exponentially as a result.
If medical reasons have been ruled out, I encourage you to spend as much time as you can interacting with other people, engaged in activities that you enjoy, get outside if the weather allows it, take meals outside of your room, do whatever you can to combat isolation. Because the isolation will only make it worse.
Stay in contact with close friends and family. If you have a religious affiliation, contact them. Sometimes a church member will come to visit or at least give you a phone call.
The American Cancer Society has support groups and people that will take the time to talk to you as well.
Also, you have our support here at AgingCare.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. It does get better.
Its been 2 weeks since ur post, hope everything has gotten better. Maybe u have been discharged.
There are caring, kind and concerned members here.♥️👍🏾🙂
It is possible that there are some after effects of anesthesia
It is possible that there is some depression. Have you requested a visit from a therapist? Either a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
I have to ask are you doing everything you are able to do?
Or do you finish PT and go lay down?
How about a walk around the place.
How about getting a book and going to read in another room...not the room you sleep in.
Are there activities?
If you feel like you are not getting adequate PT, or even attention from the staff and the doctors have you looked into transferring to another rehab?
To me what this actually sounds like is classic anxiety attacks. Your head is flooded with new thoughts and you CLEARLY need help whatEVER is going on. Ask to see the social work at once. Show them what you have written here so they can see how clear this is, and how muddled it comes out when you go for verbal communication. Meanwhile, deep breath as much as you can. Take your time. Know that all you are dealing with right now is totally CRAZY MAKING. Many of us here have done the cancer journey (I did with breast cancer 35 plus years ago, two positive nodes; Midkid, Lealonnie1 has. Many of us. And the VERY FIRST THING I tell anyone entering this path is that it is crazy-making. Don't expect normal. There's nothing normal in this world where your life as you know it just had a grenade lobbed into it.
My best out to you and PLEASE update us because so many of us will be thinking about you.
She was 85 at the time, and after 2 days in the hospital demanded that be allowed to go home, and her neurologist permitted it.
She lived 5 fulfilling years more in her little cottage BY HERSELF with some help from nearby relatives and me, finally broke her hip just before her 90th birthday, and lost her ability to live alone, I think because of the anesthesia.
If you are able to do so, strongly request a speech/language evaluation by a therapist with experience in geriatric clients.
If the speech eval. reveals LANGUAGE ISSUES, then ask for a cognitive evaluation as intense as you can tolerate (sometimes they can take a few hours).
When Mom returned home SHE rehabbed her speech skills BY HERSELF, to the extent that she could, and would WRITE in notes what she couldn’t say. Your short, explicit, intact note here suggests that you may in fact have useable language skills, and that is VERY IMPORTANT.
DON’T give up on yourself! You have a whole bunch of cheerleaders right here who are in your corner!
PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH.
you back to them it can help them know you understand and it helps your brain make the connection. Something like that they might know of to do, practice, memory games. Idk but I’m sure they’ve seen this before. Talk to everyone until you get heard. Best of luck
my friend moved her great aunt from back East to her state in the west so she can keep a watchful eye on her, and spend good quality time as well..
it does help to keep your Loved ones close.
get rest. Do participant in outings, games, and social events. Even if you just go for 5 minutes. Build up your time from there. It’s ok. Just saying hello to another resident or caretaker will give you a bit more energy.
If your facility has social hours, games, daily news, puzzles, ; you don’t need to join the activity at first, just observe and get acclimated to the activities and everyone. It can be overwhelming.
Take care.
Hoping for the best for you.
I hope you feel better soon!
It can affect younger people as well
I recommend not worrying about it unless the condition persists after you're home or have recovered from your surgery.
If the home offers some programs you would like to participate in (card games or singing), I recommend attending as your energy allows. Getting out of your room, even if just to enjoy the view out a different window, can help your mood.