Do people with dementia have real up and downs. My MIL was barely functional from Jan- March this year and not sure if meds had anything to do with it but she popped out of it. She barely moved or ate. She is in AL and has dementia. She kept saying she was dying or wanted to die. She has started again with this behavior this week. Can alcohol have anything to do with it. She goes up and down with how much she drinks. She buys her own alcohol we will not get it for her. It is easy for her to get. This time it could be depression apparently she won't go for lunch because somebody told her she stinks.
A friend of mine has alcohol dementia, including hallucinations and delirium and lashing out, and was in and out of physical rehabs where she couldn’t drink, then back home where she started at 8am. She was on an endless cycle until her health deteriorated to the point she went into a NH where they do not allow her any drinking, and she’s a different person. My opinion is somehow the alcohol needs to be curtailed if she’s to have a better quality of life.
I’d be speaking with the staff and get her help with her drinking. If she’s on any meds, she could have some significant side-effects. That could account for the ups and downs, too.
If she has significant dementia, how is she leaving the facility to buy alcohol? I'd look into it. I know that the ALs that I have visited, the residents can drink alcohol if they wish, but, they have to get it for themselves. The staff don't provide it or deliver it to them. And presumably, a person with dementia would not be able to drive or walk to a store to get it.