My DM was diagnosed with Parkinson’s over 14 years ago. This year she was also
diagnosed with mixed dementia - Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia (extensive small vessel damage).
She’s now in a care home. She’s had hallucinations on and off for about 4-5 years but up into this past year they’d be fleeting, not distressing in theme, and would pass without much intervention.
This year has been much much worse. Several longer episodes. Some triggered by a UTI, but once treated, would abate.
Not this time. She’s been escalating for about a month. The care home is excellent and tested her urine immediately. Treated her for the UTI. But she’s worse than ever, and it’s nearly a month of her being stuck in this state.
Going to see her is absolutely heart wrenching. Anyone who has a parent with these conditions knows that the long goodbye is utterly horrific. I’ve seen more than my fair share of horror. When I saw her this week she broke my heart into pieces. She’s terrified. She has insight to the fact she’s very ill. She’s crying a lot. Talking about death. She’s essentially like my child. I can’t stay and hold her and calm her every day because I work full time and have young children. The RITT team have been informed and will visit her soon. It seems madness that there is nothing to stop this awful, awful mental torture. I can’t bear to see her so frightened.
Does anyone know what can be done to break this latest cycle of mental decline? Or AIBU and this is just it now for the rest of her poor existence? 😢