Late stage dementia - drooling and "absences"

[IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere]

DM is late stage. She is completely immobile, doubly incontinent, unable to use her hands and arms and very little speech. She has a soft diet. When I visit her I taker her a drink which she drinks with a straw while I hold the cup. I also feed her a jelly or a small pudding. When I saw her on Friday she was able to drink with no problem and she would eat the puddings but she would have a mouthful and then just freeze for a minute or so, completely unresponsive then "come back" and carry on swallowing. When I wasn't feeding her she was constantly drooling, so much that she has an sore under her chin from being constantly wet.

I'm not blaming the staff for the sore - she has barrier cream that they apply throughout the day - but unless they are sitting with her constantly mopping her chin she is going to be wet and uncomfortable. It seems she has forgotten she needs to swallow her saliva. She can't move her hands and arms at all so can't wipe her own face.

Does anyone have any suggestions for the drooling and/or experience of the absences?

[FlipFlops4Me]

What about a covid type facemask slung ear to ear under her chin, with tissues in it to soak up the drool? The tissues would need to be changed regularly but I don't see why it wouldn't work. It should end up like a Tena lady pad for drool, but with elastic straps going over the ears.

[CadyEastman]

No advice, just wanted to offer some sympathy. Nobody wants to see their DM like that