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Original poster

Dementia, last days and lucidly

5 replies

BayandBlonde · 01/10/2022 12:58

I'm posting in chat for traffic.

My dad has suffered from dementia for the last couple of years and is in a nursing home. Other than 'off days' he has remained relatively lucid, normal periods of confusion etc ( he also has heart and kidney disease)

About 3 weeks ago he started to vomit all meals and drinks. Bloods tests done but not showing anything we don't already know. He is physically able to eat but cannot keep it down.

The family know if he cannot keep food or drink down, soon the end will be near and his wishes are not to go to hospital, no drip etc.

Now to my question......he has suddenly become of a very clear mental state, very much having 'full capacity'. However is body is very much failing.

Could this sudden change in his mental condition be the start the death process?

I ask because it doesn't make any sense and we know he isn't going to suddenly get better.

He is late 80's

OP posts:
Original poster
BayandBlonde · 01/10/2022 13:39

Google has kind of answered my question, but any experiences of this are welcome

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 01/10/2022 13:45

It's possible you are describing delirium, on a back ground of dementia.

The nature of delirium is that it fluctuates, so you have days (or less than days) when you are very lucid, and times when you are not.

This can be very confusing and give the impression someone is getting better, only for it all to change again when the delirium fluctuates back again.

2022again · 01/10/2022 13:59

having worked in hospice and also in dementia care I would say, perhaps yes, you may be right....if he hasn't been keeping down any fluids for 3 weeks now then it is likely his body may not be able to last for much longer and it may give him distress if the staff try to give him food or fluids, other than if he specifically asks for something he wants. Lovely to hear that you know his precise wishes about end of life so I would say, make the best of this lucidity as sometimes the person needs to have this time to say goodbye to his family and to hear you say your goodbyes...sometimes giving your loved one "permission to go " and letting them know that you will be ok, can help the process. Sending big hugs xx

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Original poster
BayandBlonde · 01/10/2022 14:05

AnnaMagnani · 01/10/2022 13:45

It's possible you are describing delirium, on a back ground of dementia.

The nature of delirium is that it fluctuates, so you have days (or less than days) when you are very lucid, and times when you are not.

This can be very confusing and give the impression someone is getting better, only for it all to change again when the delirium fluctuates back again.

Sorry I probably didn't explain it well. I'm not thinking this period of lucidity is dad getting better, I know that isn't going to happen. I have experienced with him over the last two years many levels of clarity, delusion, confusion, hallucinations and some days do seem better than others, like it would appear he is improving (although I know its not 'improvement' in the sense we would like) etc....

What I saw today is different

OP posts:
Original poster
BayandBlonde · 01/10/2022 14:11

2022again · 01/10/2022 13:59

having worked in hospice and also in dementia care I would say, perhaps yes, you may be right....if he hasn't been keeping down any fluids for 3 weeks now then it is likely his body may not be able to last for much longer and it may give him distress if the staff try to give him food or fluids, other than if he specifically asks for something he wants. Lovely to hear that you know his precise wishes about end of life so I would say, make the best of this lucidity as sometimes the person needs to have this time to say goodbye to his family and to hear you say your goodbyes...sometimes giving your loved one "permission to go " and letting them know that you will be ok, can help the process. Sending big hugs xx

Thank you. Up until last week he would eat and drink willingly but couldn't keep it down.

Now and maybe through fear of being sick he is refusing all food (he is on anti sickness meds but they aren't working). He will still take small (and I mean a drop or two) sips of water.

He was asleep when I arrived, and he insisted on staying awake while I was there. Of course I said it's fine to sleep, he nodded off almost instantly.

He sleeps all day and night, with maybe an hour of waking during the day

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