Expert: Paula Damgaard - 2/19/2008

Question
My mother was in the latter mid or beginning of the later stages of Alzheimer's.  She had to go to the emergency room after her oxygen level was very low.  She had just been released from the hospital days earlier from breaking her hip.  They have treated her for a possible blood clot and also Pnuemonia.  She is not eating or drinking or very little and won't open her eyes but on occasion.  Do you think that the low oxygen level has put her in the latter stages?

Answer
Terri, I think that everything she has been through that you mention above has put her in the later stages!  Being hospitalized and sick can cause a patient to fail quicker.  They don't have the "reserves" to fight back like you or I.  As the disease marches through the brain, it is destroying everything, not just their memory.  So their ability to fight infections is being destroyed as well.  

I think that on some level she is probably telling you she has had enough.  I think that it is time for you to contact Hospice and have them step in to help you.  They will be very supportive to you and make sure that your mom doesn't suffer.  

I am sorry that you are going through this.  But the best thing you can do is to make sure your mom gets quality rather than quantity for the rest of her days.  My thoughts are with you.  Paula