Alzheimer's & Flailing Arms

My mother is in late stages Alzheimer's and woke up this morning exhibiting an almost involuntary flailing arm movement accompanied by an audible moan (not pain); she also missed a chair and fell to the floor -- something she has never done before -- as if she had lost her balance/motor skills. She was taken to the ER, examined, brain scan normal, released. She has been in the wandering around the house stage for quite some time (almost two years) and has assisted care in my sister's home 24/7; she is also incontinent, barely verbal, with minimal comprehension. Among her meds are Excel and Zyprexa. She was on Namenda for little over a month which improved her verbal capacity but led to more erratic outbursts and overall management issues. I know there are some posters who work with the elderly or have been in a similar situation such as ours, with a late stages Alzheimer's victim. I would greatly appreciate opinions/input. I read somewhere that this might have something to do with entering the terminal phase. Unfortunately, my mother is only 75 and first started manifesting symptoms ten years ago. I'm so weak from my own autoimmune disease right now that I can't go running to her side ... all I have is this computer for research, my phone for hearing word, and my TV for company.

Hello Miss Mermaid, I am very sorry to hear that your Mom has Alzheimers, I have worked with Alzheimers for many years, as a CNA and presently I am a unit nursing secretary, and am surrounded and deal with dementia patients all day long. I would agree that she probably is entering into the last stages, which is what is causing the erratic brain activity. I did private care for many years and one gentleman that I cared for would have seizure like activity and that was caused by the dementia, and what your Mom is experiencing sounds like the same. The facility that I work for has the youngest ADVANCED Alzheimers case that I have ever witnessed. She is presently advanced and is only 55 years old, she started displaying dementia in her early 40's. That is so frightening to me, I will be 52 in November and every day when I see Linda I say to myself, there but for the Grace of God go I. Email me if you'd like hun. If I can help. I would be happy to. Charl

I've worked in nursing homes for the better part of the last 30 years and the industry has changed so much. Alzheimer's patients have such varied symptoms, and it may be that your mother is entering yet another phase of her disease. It's great that your mother has been able to stay home with care! ~Jan

I have worked with Alzheimers on and off for 6 years and it is great that she can stay at home and be cared for. And it is true that there are many stages to this disease. Terminal stages as I have noticed in the past begin more with the inhability to swallow or extreme difficulty swallowing. We have a 40 bed Alzheimers unit and there are a lot of them that have spastic movements and have for years. There is no real indicators for this disease. It's always so hard to tell. And in reference to the 55 year old exhibiting Alzheimers...I can't remember what it was called specifically , but it is a disease that manifests just like alzheimers, but is occurs earlier in life, but it wasn't that. We have had two residents with this disease and if I can find out the name of it I will pass it along. Good luck with everything.

Mellissa, Been in LTC bout 28 years & have worked w/ many Alzheimer residents. Concerning the medication Namanda this med can make the brain go back to last stage. Which can cause increased confusion to the resident & make them aggitated, strike out. If the pt is in stage 6-7 which mom sounds like she might be. Could be to late for Namenda causing more agitation that pt. deserves. On your side Please remember that caring for a love one can be VERY difficult causing many stresses for the care giver. Your health is important also. Mom needs taking of, but remember you have to also take care of your self. Does mom know she is still @ home? God love u @ this Stage of her life, keeping her @ home. Think about it Mellissa. Go to an Alzheimer's support group. Love Mom but also Love your self. Don't feel guilty for wanting to live. Donna

Actually Mom does have 24-7 care in my sister's home. There is always an attendant there for her. It is indeed too much for even the most loving family member to handle at this point. When DH and I were caring for her three years ago, it did contribute to my health decline and I just couldn't handle it anymore. BTW, she was taken off Namenda after only a month because it did make her too agitated. Thx so much for lending your expertise to this sad situation. God bless.