What to Expect with Alzheimer’s/Dementia.

[jacquelineroux]

Thank you for this. It is exactly as it was for my father when he died at 87 yrs old. But he came out of his non-verbal state the night before he died. When I showed up after work he thought I was my mother. His face lit up and he took my hand and told me (thinking it was mom who had died 10 years prior) how much he missed me, that he had been looking for me. With tears in his eyes and he then reminisced for the next 20-30 minutes about their life. I sat next to him, holding his hand, until he fell asleep. He never woke up again and passed away the next day. I’m so grateful that his last day was so happy. 🥰

[Bluestarrydreams]

This was a tough video to watch because my Grandpa's life ended with dementia in a nursing home. The last couple visits, he had become non-verbal and that alone was so hard because we used to talk so much! Then the eating troubles began. He was always a very picky eater but it just got so much worse. Thankfully there was an amazing nurse there who helped him eat while he still could. At first she asked me if I could help him since I was there visiting and I thought I could until.. I couldn't. She took over and explained some things like how lots of patients 'pocket' the food in their cheeks and won't swallow and my Grandpa was becoming a regular at that. Ultimately she got him to eat a decent amount though, even going to the kitchen to just get a small plate of mashed potatoes instead of the other food on his tray.. she was so kind and patient and definitely doing a job I don't think my heart could handle! I'm in tears just recalling this!

At that last visit, he had caught the cold going around the Home and it was quite bad. He couldn't cough deeply and they feared pneumonia setting in.. I don't know if it did or not. His nose would run too and he couldn't take care of it himself so it just dripped down on his clothes. That was especially hard to witness because Gramps used to be a 'hanky' man! Never caught without a cloth hanky in his pocket to wipe his nose or whatever else! I always thought it was gross, lol.. but at the end, I would have given anything to see him pull out an old hanky to wipe his nose again!

Ahh.. I just don't understand why our lives are really so short? Why are we born just to die not so long later and much too soon for some? I'm not really looking for an answer because I don't think I'll be satisfied with any answers that could be given ... just missing my Grandparents so much and worried about losing anyone else. 😔

Wishing everyone reading this peace and comfort on life's journey and I'm so grateful to this amazing Hospice Nurse for doing a job I could NEVER do, making these videos and hosting this community. 💗

[MariaAbrams]

My great grandma, the best woman to ever walk this world, I'm sorry the whole world didn't get to have her as a grandma, died from alzheimers. The last 3 to 5yrs of her life was horrible and I'm glad she wasn't aware for most of it. It's strange that she always knew who I was, even tho she forgot everybody else. Idk why that happened and the doctors couldn't tell us why either. She knew my name and that I was her great grand daughter, she even remembered my childhood, but couldn't remember how old she was or who her kids or even my parents were. It was sad. I spent tons of time with her during this time cuz she was less afraid with me around. This woman had always been very respectful, polite, sweet and always put together perfectly. It was hard to see her lose herself and her life. She swore and screamed and was mean sometimes. She stopped even looking like her somehow. I tried to do her hair everyday like she'd always done, but sometimes she'd think she was a child and have these fits. But she still knew who I was during these times. The end was even harder. She was at home on hospice and obviously suffering. She had stopped talking but would sometimes just lay there and cry. It still breaks my heart. The hospice nurse was beautiful. She talked to me about removing her G tube and once that was done, we gave her a very small amount of morphine and she very obviously relaxed instantly. She passed the same night. She spoke again one last time and for that I'm very thankful. She said she remembered and had a good life but now her family was waiting for her. She squeezed my hand, closed her eyes and died minutes later. She knew... they said removing that tube and giving her the morphine allowed her body to relax enough to let things progress like they're supposed to. Feeding her was just making her sick anyway. She swelled up and got constipated and it was bad. You're right about not feeding these people or giving liquids, they're not needed by then anyway. One Dr and the Minister both said something similar about her always being able to remember me, they both said biology isn't everything. Some bonds go deeper and can't be broken. I like to believe that too. I was heartbroken but also relieved when she passed. There was no more suffering or pain or fear for her anymore. This is not what she would have wanted. She'd be horrified if she could have seen and heard herself, it shocked and hurt me at 1st too. It was hard to get used to. She's been gone about 11yrs but I still miss her dearly and think about her every single day. Thank you for your videos. They help explain a lot for me and others. We need to know these things. It's hard to think and talk about but we need to.

[brianshickey]

My father died recently (97 years old) in the hospital with dementia and it was a very difficult experience. I really wish I’d seen your videos as there wasn’t a ton of information provided by the Dr. You are providing such an important and helpful service by posting these videos as most of us don’t have the tools during the last stages of life. This may very well be the best channel I’ve seen on YouTube as you’re providing priceless information that WILL change lives. I love you and want to thank you for the love you’re giving back.

[Golddiamonds]

I was my mom‘s POA. When they asked me if I wanted a G-tube I said no she would not want this she used to say when I can no longer wipe my own butt I’m ready to go. So when my mom could no longer eat we kept her mouth swabbed every 30 minutes we would swab her mouth to keep her mouth lubricated on the morning we woke up and she was no longer awake we decided to just be there talk to her keep her comfortable we kept her clean we kept her changed until there was nothing in her underwear then we let her rest until she made her final journey. And this hospice nurse doing these videos I love you. You’re spot on. My mother she slept the last day she was alive and then at 10 PM that night she just stops breathing it was no struggle she did have the death rattle. She was at home surrounded by her children and that’s what she would’ve wanted. She was very easy-going and smiled a lot before she was unconscious she told my brother and my sister that she loves them she hugged them she kissed them. And I was a little hurt as her caregiver she looked at me and I said mom I love you and she looked at me and smiled and she said you’re so pretty lol. I’m OK with that the woman I love the most in the world thought I was pretty. I know that she loved me she didn’t have to say it but I had to say it because I wanted her even if she didn’t know me, she knew I love her.Unfortunately it wasn’t the last death my brother-in-law who was in the room with us five weeks later passed away from Covid. That one was unexpected.

[kbobdonahue]

That is exactly how my dad died, gradually and peacefully. They stopped feeding him once they figured he was on his about to die. I miss my dad. He had Alzheimer's. Thank you so much for explaining it. God bless you 🙏 ❤️

[smedcardsfan]

I kept my promise as best as I could. In the NH I eventually told her that I loved her and she could go to heaven to be with dad. She did that night. No more suffering no more being scared.❤️Love you mom!❤️

[phillipsprague]

This seems very sensible to a nurse that has experienced many elderly people succumb to this miserable disease! However, when it’s a family member the difficulty level is maxed for the them and extremely painful!

[bellaweller]

That's exactly what happened to my mom who recently passed away. We love and miss you, mom, and we appreciate all the sacrifices you have made to make our lives so much better.

[ripleyaliensmom]

My dad has dementia, he was very strong and an army man he was a great father he was always watching out for me and to see this disease take my dad away from me it's the hardest thing to deal with I also lost my mom last year.... Its such a sad and cruel disease 😢

[lisahinton]

Thank you, Julie. My dad died from Alzheimer's five years ago and was on hospice at the end. I always wondered how it went for him. Thank you for explaining this; I've received some comfort today.

[daughteroftheking]

My mother passed 3 years ago from dementia and I was there to her very last breath. I played her favorite songs and prayed for her out loud because I know she heard me. She did not suffer at all and hospice was so wonderful. I now am in the Suncoast PACE program in Pinellas County, Florida and I finally have a caring compassionate team. Hospice is the best way to go, not only for the patient but for the patients family. Thank you for doing these videos 💜☮️

[christineparis]

Thank you so much for this helpful information! My dad had sudden, severe dementia and was in a home at first, where he suddenly died. A caretaker there was in the habit of singing to him every day, as it calmed him. I'm so grateful for her! I was not there at his death as I was for my mom, it happened pretty fast and I was glad he was in peace and not suffering or frightened, thanks to these fantastic, overworked people who work in such a difficult place...

[tamirobak]

I wish I knew this 7 months ago. 24/7 caretaker for my father. He’s been gone 3 months now. You give awesome information. Thank you. It helps me so much.

[accordingtonana]

I just went through this with my Mom. She passed a week ago Thursday and we just had her Memorial Service on Saturday.
I'll have to say that this was the hardest thing that I have ever went through. I am seriously contemplating doing a vlog, podcast, or something to share my experiences in hopes to help others who are Caregivers to an Alzheimers patient. Having cared for Mom by myself for a year and a half, I have learned a lot of dos and don'ts. So many times I wished I had someone to turn to that could help me know if I was doing the right thing, or if what I was experiencing was normal or not. It is so hard, but it is also SO worth it, to be able to care for you lived one at a time they need you the most. I will never regret it!

[junglelibrary]

You are a beautiful sensitive angel. Anyone who has you nearby when they are passing, is truly lucky.

[thendday]

I lost my mom to Alzheimer disease just a few months ago. She got to the part when she was sleeping a lot and she was very quiet. She passed peacefully. I was so happy for that. It scares me to no end though. My mom had 7 other brothers and sisters. All but two we’re diagnosed and passed from
Alzheimer’s. That is what scares me
the most.

[tomikochatman]

So true, I worked with Alzheimer's people for 20 plus years and it basically goes exactly like the nurse explained. I've been with many of residents when they were going through the death and dying process and I have to say it was an honor to be with them as they took their last breath..

[psleep]

Ty. My mom has FTD and having taken care of her for 10 years it’s bone chillingly exhausting. I do everything myself except for dr appointments of course. I love her so much and pray she leaves this world softly. ❤️😇🤟

[cherylevans]

You are an angel. This is what I'm going through with my Mom. Hospice recently started with her. Didn't know what to expect, now I do. Thanks.