haileybug Asked November 2019
Can something go terribly wrong with a person's mind overnight, who has dementia?
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My husband has a friend that lives near us and he stated that his doctor told him that he has dementia. At this time, he tells my husband and I that he feels like he is going "crazy". Then boom, overnight, something happened to his mind. Now, he walks back and forth looking out the window, doesn't talk much anymore, can not wash himself, does not know when he is hungry, etc. etc. I'm just lost for words … I thought dementia was a slow gradual process. Does this sound normal to you guys? I don't know why but I just get a gut feeling about this. Thanks you all.
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Strange that a few months back doctors told him he could not live alone any more but he refused to leave his home. Recently he goes see his doctor and is told he has dementia. BOOM, overnight , his mind got all messed up. Not to mention his doctor had just given him a very high dosage of strong meds?
Vascular dementia in particular is a series of plateaus and then sudden declines.
No doubt the kidney infection is contributing to his current state, but he had already been told he couldn't live alone. And the fact that, although he DID live alone, the fact that he developed a kidney infection while there and didn't recognize that he needed treatment would seem to argue that the docs are right.
Yes, months back, after staying in the hospital from having a surgery, doctors said he could no longer stay alone. It had nothing to do with dementia.
I'm just thinking that perhaps the brother wasn't telling her the whole story?
In the summer, my husband and I visited our friend and he was sick. We took him to the hospital and they admitted him to do emergency surgery. While there, the doctors learned that he relied on us for certain things. (he has been that way all his life) That is when social service got involved and tried to tell him he could not live alone any more. However, he continued to stay alone.
Recently, his sister carried him to his primary doctor and this is when his doctor claimed he had dementia. (sister was informed as well) This same doctor had previously gave him some high dosage medication. At this time, our friend tells us he feels like he is going crazy.
The very next day, we were informed by his sister that he had lost his mind and she took him in at her home. Yesterday, his sister took him to the hospital and they admitted him for a bad kidney infection. Again, the doctor there told his sister that de had dementia and that he would have to go into a facility or live with her.
Therefore, last week was the first time he had ever been told he had dementia. Henceforth, they tell him he has dementia one day and gotta go into a facility the next?
Something is not right? What do you think?
BarbBrooklyn wrote earlier: "Vascular dementia in particular is a series of plateaus and then sudden declines." My mom's dementia would stabilize (no improvement or worsening), then she'd have a sudden drop in mental function.
There were times this sudden drop was the fault of yet another UTI. I'd get the infection treated, but her mental function would either take a long time to improve or it wouldn't improve at all.
It's quite possible a combination of things have decreased your friend's mental abilities: dementia's natural course, the infection (which can REALLY screw up the brain), and the start of medication (which he may need to get used to or the med needs to be adjusted to suit him). The changes in his mental capacities can certainly be dramatic.
I hope your friend's relatives start looking into assistance for him, either in his home or in a facility for his own good.
I guess the part for me to understand is why didn't doctors say anything about him having dementia in the past? It is the timing that gets me. Thanks again
Thanks for the clarification!
Do you know what the medication is? Who characterized it as being high dose and very powerful?
Since your friend has relied on friends for support for a long time, I'm wondering if maybe he's "slow" or "limited"? Has he held a job in the past? Maybe Social Services thought that he needed more care than what might be available from friends?
There is a fine line between "cognitive impairment" (which doctors do NOT call dementia) and actual dementia. So maybe what you were seeing before was someone who has always needed helped, but there wasn't the progressive element that is present in dementia?
The suddenness of his decline might be due to several factors all at once: meds, kidney infection and being in an unfamiliar environment.
I hope that you get some answers from his docs! Happy Thanksgiving!
The lady that lives behind him who is a good friend of him is the one who told my husband and I about the meds being strong.
Yes, he is "limited" and yes he did hold a job for a very long time in the past. He has been living alone for many years and his need of care had never changed.
Also, the change happened overnight while he was at his own home. Our friend has had problems with kidney infections for many years. Seems to me, something happened. Just trying to piece things together. Thank you though because everything you say makes sense.
This man could have had Demenia for a while, you just weren't aware of the signs, which could be very subtle. A kidney infection would worsen it.
Yes, he does think he is going "crazy". He brain is not working right. He is probably losing short-term memory. Forgetting how to do the simplest things.
At this point, someone needs to get POA while he is still considered competent. He will eventually need more care than the Sister can give. My Moms Dementia decline was monthly. Your friend may have been able to cover up his problems for short period of time. I think its called "showtiming".
At this point, the Sister needs to be in charge of his care. As friends there is nothing you can do but be supportive. Take him out to lunch or dinner to give her a break. Even if u don't agree with her decisions, respect them. Caring for someone with Dementia is not an easy job. Not everyone can do it. Your friend needs a full evaluation, just to make sure there is no physical problems causing this decline.
I think the best thing would be to read up on Dementia. Tests will be able to determine what type. Even though Alzhemiers is considered a Dementia, it effects the brain in a whole different way. But please, don't bombard the Sister with info. It may not be appreciated. Just tell her you are there if she needs help.
No, my husband and I are very supportive of his sister. She takes very good care of him. His sister calls us a lot and keeps us informed of what's going on and she asks us to please come visit with him.
I do not say anything to the sister because it is like you said, overwhelming.
Again, thank you so very much for this very helpful information.
Also, there are some conditions that are very aggressive and hit quickly. A neurologist might be able to figure out what is going on with this man. I might check to rule out things like brain tumors, fluid on the brain, vitamin deficiency, etc.
The sooner he receives help the better his prognosis.
Edit: they told us that my dad needed memory care the 1st day he was in the hospital, sick, near death. I would encourage his sister to plan, but to focus on getting him well before she buys into the diagnosis. After the hospital and snf my dad was a different person completely.