AboutMary Gordon Expertise Several years direct experience as caregiver for family member who died of end stage AD. Did lots of research and dealt with a lot of health care professionals and caregivers over the 7 years from diagnosis to the end. Used various care options from community based resources to increasing levels of institutional. Mother of three, two born during our loved one's decline, so I know what it is to be the ham in the sandwich, taking care of the older generation and the younger at the same time and trying to balance everyone`s needs. Ask me, I`ve probably been there, done that. We made lost of mistakes and learned everything the hard way - but you don`t have to! If I can`t answer your question, I`ll steer you to a place or person who can.
Experience Currently a program manager for a large utility company. My Alzheimers experience comes from having the illness in our family. Out of necessity, we did a lot of research in order to understand the disease, plan for what might come next, and make the right decisions to help and support our loved one. Please note, I am a Canadian living in Toronto, and therefore am not the best person to ask about US regulations and insurance rules!
Question Good morning Mary, My father-in-law is in Stage 7 of Alzheimers Disease. He is still able to feed himself and swallowing is not a problem. We had to call 911 twice in the past week as he had recurring fevers of 103 degrees. On both occasions, he was admitted, no infection was found, fever disappated and he was discharged within 2 days. Could these fevers be related to the progression of this disease? He often complains of abdominal pain with these fevers, yet the C.T.'s, blood work, etc. show no obstructions, contusions, etc. Would appreciate any cognitive advice u may have...Thanks, Mary & have a nice day! Regards, Debbie
Answer Hi Debbie,
Here is a good article on abdominal pain in the elderly http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/776663-overview
The real problem is, the elderly just don't always display the symptoms or test results you'd expect, just as they react differently to medications than younger people. It can be very hard to diagnose just what the root cause is. A person with dementia has the added problem of not necessarily feeling sensations the way a normal person would, due to the neurological damage. They can't help you by accurately describing the pain, how long its been going on, what seems to make it better or worse etc. I'm surprised he can communicate enough to tell you his abdomen hurts - by the time my mother in law got to Stage 7, all we had to go on was behavior and external signs of illness. It was a lot of guesswork
What he is going through is not associated with his dementia - although the dementia certainly doesn't help when they are trying to figure out what is wrong with him. Fevers and abdominal pain are not part of AD.
Hope this helps. I know you and your family must be struggling to come to terms with the many issues that come with seeing a loved approaching the end of life. At what point do you consider palliative care, and call off the emergency trips to hospital ? If he did have some serious ailment, what would you want done about it? Very tough questions for anyone dealing with a loved one in later dementia.
