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Talking to people who aren't there is fairly common. I'm not sure that it can be pinned on stages as much as conditions. My mother-in-law, when she was still in her apartment, would tell me not to "sit on the kids." She had once been a teacher and I'd have to avoid the couch next to her because that's where she said the kids were.. Once she moved to a nursing home (it was an extremely good one near where I live) she had more socializing and she improved in all areas but especially in talking to invisible people.
As far as eating goes, sometimes not eating can come from depression. It can also come from discomfort or confusion. In later stages, it generally means that the body doesn't want food anymore because organs are shutting down. Talk with the doctor to see why he or she thinks this is happening. Your loved one may need a different diet or food that tempts her more. Temperature can matter - she may prefer cool foods or warm foods. You can experiment.
Or, if she is in a very late stage, she may not want food because she can't digest it and her body is rejecting it. Again, her doctor should be able to help guide you.
Please keep us posted on how you both are doing. Carol
Not sure if I can help but my mum's appetite is rock bottom and I don't think she eats more than 200 calories a day, but she doesn't actually do anything either and seems to be managing. Regarding talking to people who aren't there, she doesn't really do that but she does talk to people on the TV - seems a reversed situation, and she does call for siblings long dead. Swings in communication are comment - mum moves from being very noisy and even making sense on some occasions, to long periods of silence when there doesn't appear to be any difference in her environment. This is all part of the dementia I believe but as to what stage it is, not sure, maybe 5/6. At least your mum will eat snacks and if she gets nourishment and enjoyment from doing so there can't be a problem. Wish you luck.
Contact your local Alzheimer's Association chapter, they will be able to give you info on dementia. No two people behave the same, however there are stages of decline. It's not uncommon for people to talk to someone who is not there not is it uncommon for eating habits to change. Foods that are easy to eat, finger foods such as boiled eggs, half of a sandwich, fruit etc., are easy for those with dementia and they will eat such foods more readily.
I agree that the stages and behavior do vary. My cousin has been in Stage 6 for awhile now. At first she saw animals and people who were not there, but months later, she hardly does that at all. The only thing I know of now if that she claims her doctor is sleeping on a couch in the lobby of the Memory Care facility, but that does not distress her or seem to bother her. Those hallucinations or delusions may stay or may not.
Months ago, she also would refuse food quite a bit. She would often stay in bed and refuse to go to the dining room for meals, but now, she doesn't do that at all and actually gained about 5 pounds since we placed her in the Memory Cary facility. I think that the approach of the staff regarding her snacks and meals has helped. PLUS, they serve her soft foods. Not pureed food, but easily eaten regular food that is not hard and is cut into small pieces. She seems to enjoy it that way.
As others above have suggested, I would experiment with some tasty foods and some that are small and easily handled.
Mom kept telling me she had bugs, occasionally they were worms coming out of her skin. I finally figured out that with her big long nails she would continuously scratch and "feel" above her upper lip. She has oily skin despite baths, the "worms" were whiteheads released from her skin after a bath tightened up her pores!
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
As far as eating goes, sometimes not eating can come from depression. It can also come from discomfort or confusion. In later stages, it generally means that the body doesn't want food anymore because organs are shutting down. Talk with the doctor to see why he or she thinks this is happening. Your loved one may need a different diet or food that tempts her more. Temperature can matter - she may prefer cool foods or warm foods. You can experiment.
Or, if she is in a very late stage, she may not want food because she can't digest it and her body is rejecting it. Again, her doctor should be able to help guide you.
Please keep us posted on how you both are doing.
Carol
In Lewy Body Dementia, hallucinations often are the first noticeable symptom. Talking to persons no one else can see can happen very early.
Months ago, she also would refuse food quite a bit. She would often stay in bed and refuse to go to the dining room for meals, but now, she doesn't do that at all and actually gained about 5 pounds since we placed her in the Memory Cary facility. I think that the approach of the staff regarding her snacks and meals has helped. PLUS, they serve her soft foods. Not pureed food, but easily eaten regular food that is not hard and is cut into small pieces. She seems to enjoy it that way.
As others above have suggested, I would experiment with some tasty foods and some that are small and easily handled.