My dear mother is in the last stage of alzheimers.

She can no longer talk except for an occasional syllable or two, and has very little effect, but is not yet in a stupor. She can still walk around on her own by holding on to a guardrail, but is starting to fall frequently, and sometimes she just forgets how to walk and sits or lays down wherever she is.

She can still eat her meals by herself, mostly with her fingers, and eats fairly well. She has lost most of her motor skills, and cannot hold things in her hands. She is very unfocused and will just get up and walk away from you.

She does not know who I am and for the most part doesn't seem to recognize any of the family..however when my brother was able to visit from Boston a few weeks ago, she clearly recognized him. However,
She doesn't recognize herself in a mirror.

Can anyone give me some insight on what to expect from this point on?

Dear P. - SO SORRY to hear about your mom. I can't really help you with "what's next". My mom is in the late middle stage of AD, so I have no experience with what's coming. But I did want to let you know that I empathize with you.

If you need to just talk or vent please do. If you'd like to e-mail me to talk let me know on the boards and I'll give you my address.

My thoughts and good wishes are with you.

Sciteach

Dear P. Connell:
I am sorry about your mother. I went through that stage with my wife four years ago. You can only expect a downward course from here on and your goal needs to be that of keeping her comfortable and continued feeling loved.. She will eat less and less with increased difficulty in swallowing. She will become bed bound. You will need to accept her as she is and not be blamed for anything that you may not like. Blame Alzheimer's. Offer her food she likes in a form most easily swallowed and leave it up to her as to how much she takes. No forcing. Continue reminding her of the good things in her past even after she can no longer respond. I feel that you may pray that this stage will not last long and that you are convaying to her that she has your permission to go and be with her Lord.
Keep faith and God bless.
Franklin

Thank you both for your very kind replies. This is just so heartbreaking to watch. My mother's faith is very strong and I know God is comforting her.

P. Connell

It realy IS heartbreaking. It's like no other disease.
:-(

Even though Mom is only in the mid-stages, she has long since stopped being the mother who raised me. She was feisty; held deep convictions on right and wrong, and never hesitated to shake a finger in your face if you were doing something that wasn't right.

She still has her wonderful sense of humor, but we rarely see that feisty side.

PC, hang on... and if you need to vent, we're here!!

Let us know how things are with you from time to time. My thoughts are with you.

SciTeach

Thank you, Sciteach.

The first time my mother didn't recognize me was on Christmas day two years ago. It's a heartbreaking memory.

My father died nine years ago, and my mom and I are alone here, no other family members, so it's been just mom and I for a long time. I'm terribly thankful for the staff where she lives, they are a godsend...they are keeping her comfortable and content.

It's so sad that there isn't more I can do for her.

I am dreading the day that Mom doesn't know who I am. So far she recognizes everyone. She can't always pull a name out of her head, but she knows who they are. (My sister is "What's Her Name") :-)

My Dad is still living and is, so far, able to care for Mom. She doesn't need too much help, yet. I have a sister in town. We tell each other all the time that we don't know what we'd do without each other. So I can just imagine how difficult this must be for you.

I also have a sister and brother who live out of town. They are another story that I won't go in to here.

How old is your Mom? Mine will be 80 yrs old in January. She was first diagnosed about 2 years ago. We (the children) had noticed something wasn't right about 18 months earlier. It took us a while to convince her AND my Dad that she needed to be seen by a Dr. It took a fall and a broken bone to just get her in to a Dr office. The rest, as they say, is history.

I am glad you have your Mom in a good facility. I know that helps ease your mind a lot.

Keep me posted on how you are and how your Mom is.

SciTeach