Mums 86 yr old with AD and vascular dementia. Her weights dropped from 126 lb to 84 lbs in one year despite eating well. Is this a sign of end stage?
Mums bmi is now only 17. She still talks and can walk with a stick but falls often. She doesn’t recognise anyone apart from me. Her MMSE score is approx 9. I’m praying the end is near as she is frightened all the time.
My mother was literally a skeleton covered in flesh when she died.
My mom never weighed much her whole life but she was like other elderly people who just got skinnier and skinnier as they aged.
They lose their appetite and don’t eat, so there is no way they can gain weight.
I don’t blame you for praying for the end. Many of us have desired death for our loved ones because we don’t want them to go on living in misery. It’s heart wrenching.
Please find a hospice organization to help. Hospice offers comfort care and will give medication to calm her fears and eliminate pain. They also have a social worker and clergy.
If you possibly can, place her in an ‘end of life’ hospice facility rather than hospice care at home. This way she can receive around the clock care and you can get rest when needed.
Wishing you peace as you continue on in your caregiving journey.
My mother (97) became stick-thin, stopped walking, talking and eating about a year ago. Doesn’t know me. Transferred to “comfort care” floor. When she found out she blew and informed them that she was not at end of life. Said she’d eat if they got her out of there. Now she’s in care, talks and eats, but has not gained back the weight. (I suspect it’s loss of muscle mass) I hate to see her hang on by a thread for so long and wish her a peaceful death. Although some days she tells me about the party she just attended with her parents and yesterday’s shopping or travel adventures, so at least her brain is keeping her from being bored.
Please do get her a hospice evaluation asap so your dear mum can be kept unafraid and anxiety free with calming meds. She is exhibiting end of life signs now, and hospice nurses can help you better determine how much time they think she has left left on her journey here. I used to pray ALL the time for God to take my mom with end stage vascular dementia as well; it's a dreadful thing to witness and for them to go through.
4 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
My mom never weighed much her whole life but she was like other elderly people who just got skinnier and skinnier as they aged.
They lose their appetite and don’t eat, so there is no way they can gain weight.
I don’t blame you for praying for the end. Many of us have desired death for our loved ones because we don’t want them to go on living in misery. It’s heart wrenching.
Please find a hospice organization to help. Hospice offers comfort care and will give medication to calm her fears and eliminate pain. They also have a social worker and clergy.
If you possibly can, place her in an ‘end of life’ hospice facility rather than hospice care at home. This way she can receive around the clock care and you can get rest when needed.
Wishing you peace as you continue on in your caregiving journey.
Definitely discuss anti-anxiety meds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sending you prayers and a big hug for strength.