Is holding saliva in her mouth end of life?

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Butterfly02 Asked March 2023

Is holding saliva in her mouth end of life?

My 81-year-old MIL has vascular dementia. She lived with us until it became too difficult for me to help her. She is now in a Memory Care Facility. The last couple of times that my husband visited her she was holding saliva in her mouth. Has anyone ever experienced this with their loved one?

Thank you for your all your responses in advance.

Alzheimer's & Dementia End of Life Signs Swallowing Vascular Dementia

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score 1 · Answer 1

Is your mom on hospice? If so, please speak with her nurse about her condition. Hospice nurses are excellent caregivers who specialize in end of life care.

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score 2 · Answer 2

It is very common. It is difficult to swallow toward end of life, esp when any dementia is involved. This can become problematic if any food is forced, as food can be swallowed into the lungs causing aspiration pneumonia. You might ask your doctor if there is any good reason to have the swallow evaluated by an OT consult. This can often be done in facility.

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score 2 · Answer 3

Maybe. Many people lose the ability to swallow properly (dysphagia) and as time and disease progresses that can include their own saliva - this will most likely eventually lead to aspiration pneumonia, a condition that often ends life. My own mother struggled with this for several months before succumbing.
(It's worth noting that aspiration pneumonia can sometimes respond to treatment if you choose to pursue it)

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Is holding saliva in her mouth end of life?

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