Hospice believes my Mom is at end of stage 6 or early 7. Wondering if others walk and walk or stand all the time and wants me to walk with her continually. This goes on from AM until bedtime. I am thankful she does sleep well at night, but for 12 hours we walk and she talks of nothing making much sense. I have tried many activities, but she seems to care nothing except to walk and talk. Just wondering if others want caregiver to walk as this with them all the time? Thanks for any advice.
As far as wanting me to walk with her, yes I do. When she goes into her room she tells me to stay out and closes the door on me, that happens most evenings. I have a camera in her room keeping an eye on her at those times. When she is in her room she likes to rearrange her stuffed animals, take her pillowcase off and sometimes her bed, constantly moving. I keep a large plate of fresh fruit, cookies, crackers, candy, etc. for her to snack on, replenish at all times, as she won’t stop to sit down and eat anymore along with juice or boost drink. I also “pretend” I am room service and give her a boost pudding or ice cream, at times, if I can get her to sit long enough. What she does eat she walks off, I just am trying to maintain at this point.
I am finding that the best time to get a meal in Mom is breakfast before the walking begins.
I went through sun downing a few years ago, this is not the same thing. Mom is relatively happy walking now with singing (although you can’t recognize the tune) and, at times, dancing. Before she seemed frantic with sun downing and wanting to go home as is usual with that stage.
I enjoy seeing her walking as each time she is sleeping for over 8 hours I wonder if she will walk again, but she is up again and at it once again. My Mom has life, it won’t be too long before she is in the bed permanently and no longer talking/singing, no longer able to get up and go! Enjoy this time but be careful so that the loved one does not fall.
Does your Mom walk only in the house or do you take her for a walk outside on the sidewalk? How steady is your Mom while walking?
Maybe other people have some good suggestions.
Helpingmom1, the walking must contribute to your Mom's ability to sleep. I hope it allows you to sleep too! It also seems to me like the strength and resolve in your mom are some kind of miracle, but may be temporary? My Dad's caregiver brought in one of those small seated leg pumps (from a resale store) so that she could also sit for awhile back when Dad was quite active. Dad got quite bored with that, but it worked for awhile.
Sometimes I get aggravated if i want to read the paper and my wife wants to get up out of her chair. She can’t walk without assistance and she has advanced Alzheimer’s. But then I have to make myself remember that someone of normal mind and health can take joy in reading, TV, a hobby, whatever. But my wife has none of that to fall back on. So, I get over my aggravation’s and take her hand and away we go.
It’s probably good for both of us at (79)😁
See All Answers