My Mother has just been diagnoised with Parkinsons Disease Dementia by her neurologist. It all started after a minor surgery. She has had tremors for years, not bad, but progressivly getting somewhat worse over the last 5 years. Other than that, there were no symptoms that the "layman" would pick up. After her surgery, general anestecic, she developed memory loss, confusion and just an inability to handle some of lifes daily struggles. A personality change also happened. She is not the same person she was before the surgery. I am now living with her and my father 5 days a week to help out, Both 86 yrs old. Dad was diagnosed with Dementia 2 yrs ago. Mom is now having trouble handling "life" herself, so I am here to help care for him as well as her, even though she thinks she can still do everything herself. My question; does anyone have a similar case and what can I expect in the future.
My husband has Lewy Body Dementia, which is essentially the same pathology as PD, but with the cognitive decline beginning before the Parkinson-like symptoms. I can tell you that there are drugs that should absolutely never be given to these patients (which sometimes even doctors, especially emergency room doctors don't know) and other drugs that have a higher degree of success for these patients than for the population they were originally developed for. So, find out about the specific diseases your parents have.
That said, it is also true that it is impossible to predict the exact course the disease will take in any individual.
Who takes care of your parents the other 2 days per week?
Noname's suggestion to start looking for help is spot on. Get your aging council or social services involved, to learn what options are available. Some services focus on helping the elderly stay in their own homes -- meals on wheels, cleaning help, visiting nurse, someone to help with bathing, etc. Others provide some respite for caregivers, such as adult day health services. And, of course, there is long term care placement which is often necessary at some point. Look into all this before you burn out!
Hang in there!
The web site webcast@pdf.org has some wonderful seminars that you can listen to. There is also another web site info@pdf.org that I found extremely helpful. I got more information from those web sites than I got from any neurologists or primary doctor.
I think that no P.D. patient has the same progression or has the exact symptoms as another P.D. patient. I call the senement drug the miracle drug. I believe if he didn't have that drug that he would not even be able to get out of a chair. Also teach her to be extremely careful of falling. About 3 months ago, just after we got new carpet, he stubbed his toe and went down and broke a hip and wound up in the hospital for surgery and then to a physical therapy nursing home for 6 weeks. He is now doing real well with a walker...........He sleeps a lot. He has excess siliva and will drool on occasion. sucking on hard candy helps this situation. His thinking process has declined. He was taught to improve his shuffeling. If you teach her to think before she walks and take longer steps that will help. The biggest thing that helped him walk better was the walker. I think that with the walker he doesn't have the fear of falling . I have learned it is a slow, hard, process for the patient and even more so for the care giver. Good Luck ! If I think of anything else that I think might help you I will ttu at this sight. Take of your self. Dane
You will find you start to fibb a bit but its better then aggravating anyone. My dad had a hard time with this but does it like breathing now. I had to tell my mother they needed volunteers at this class and that worked they ask her to help pass things out and bake. Every patient is different on how they progress but their medications will change her and you have to figure out for yourself if they are working for her or against her. Honest opinion from me to you.... If I could do it over for my mother I would try medical marijuana first!! They have it in tiny chocolate form but I have heard some dramatic things about it. Once, my father and I were trying a new doctor and I cried telling him I think shes over medicated and she is my only mother please help. We showed him Marijuana information that he shoved away and didnt look at then prescribed another medication that we already told him gives her haluccinations. Im sorry that I'm rambling I just wish the best for you and yours and hope all goes well for you! God Bless and Good Luck!