Re: Mom is in distress

"Nixon.D" <nixon.d@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:sp-dneoi7YjqJUjbnZ2dnUVZ_gKdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"NoName" <noname@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:hn2bd3pdhtehl099kb2e803esbkv5cb5cd@xxxxxxxxxx
On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:18:13 -0400, "Evelyn Ruut"
<evelyn.ruut@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:


"Nixon.D" <nixon.d@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:wK2dnfFFtMizWknbnZ2dnUVZ_ternZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Evelyn Ruut" <evelyn.ruut@xxxxxxxxx> wrote
You need to get her to a serious doctor for a complete gerontological
workup. Her behavior may indicate any number of possible conditions.
Her behavior is not normal, and you probably realize that much. She
could be simply depressed or she could be in early alzheimers. The
other possibilities include mini-strokes or NPH or even something as
small as a thyroid deficiency. You need to find out which it is and if
it requires treatment.
--
Best Regards,

Evelyn
===================================================

Her behavior is no anomaly, not rare; happens all the time everywhere.
Not, necessarily "abnormal". She is trying to tell her caregivers that
it is time for her to leave them and go to whatever may lay beyond this
earthly realm. It is hard for the caregivers but it is part of life.

I've experienced similar situations several times. People of that age,
particularly in the stated condition, know more about death than the
so-called experts and professionals who prattle on about this way, and
that way, to prolong, prolong, prolong, a process that should be allowed
to go naturally; hopefully in the way that the person themself would want
it to go.

McDave
===================================================================



Diagnosis via newsgroup is iffy at best, Dave. You don't know that any
more than you know if the guy is a faker or a troll. The woman needs to be
examined by a doctor. If she is really and truly nearing death, a doctor
would know that.

In the meanwhile he owes it to his mother to get her to a doctor and find
out if it is something else. Wouldn't it be awful if the woman had a
thyroid condition and could have her life back with a little pill every day,
and you gave the guy bad advice? You need to think carefully what you
advise people.

She could be seriously depressed and meds could help. So many
possibiities. I'd look for a specialist in gerontological medicine.
They have the training and desire to take elderly people seriously.
=======================================================

And that is exactly what I advised him. Quote: "Put her under the care of a good gerontologist. Otherwise, do everything you can to please her, accommodate her wishes, and make her last days as pleasant as possible. Wouldn't you want the same??? !!!"

However that fact remains thBut, it remains that a "little pill" cannot bring back her eyesight. Cannot cure Alzeimer's. Cannot change her mental attitude. And, it is my considered opinion that a good gerontologist will tell him the same thing. Force feeding an aged person to keep them alive is about the most cruel treatment imaginable.

McDave

I agree that force feeding is WRONG for an elderly person.

Please remember Dave, that there are actually some causes of dementia which are fully reversible. Thyroid is one and Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is another. I shudder to think that there are actually people who have been given up on when their problem is actually reversible.

Of course there are many more times that it is not reversible, yet even then, there are medications that are very helpful and can give the person a happier life before they pass on.

In my mother in laws case, she was on antidepressants which stopped her from crying all the time and threatening suicide, and antipsychotics which controlled the disturbing delusions. There are also drugs which replace some of the brain chemistry which goes awry when people get alzheimers. It isn't the same as being normal and healthy, but if it keeps them happier and more at peace, it is all we can hope for at the present time.
--
Best Regards,

Evelyn





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