I've read how those suffering from Alzheimer's become dependent of their Caregivers and even though I'm told by my Niece that my Mom does say nice things about me when I'm not around it's hard to believe it when Sundown occurs and the other "side" of my Mom appears. (Sundowning is a psychological phenomenon associated with increased confusion and restlessness in patients with some form of dementia. Most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but also found in those with mixed dementia, the term “sundowning” was coined due to the odd timing of the patient’s confusion. For patients with sundowning syndrome, a multitude of behavioral problems begin to occur in the evening or while the sun is setting.[1][2] [3] Sundowning seems to occur more frequently during the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease and mixed dementia. Patients are generally able to understand that this behavioral pattern is abnormal. Sundowning seems to subside with the progression of a patient’s dementia.[1][2] Research shows that 20-45% of Alzheimer’s patients will experience some sort of sundowning confusion.[1] - wikepedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundowning_(dementia)
My Mother gets a bit agitated and aggressive and says hateful words that hurt but I try to laugh it off as I walk way even though I feel like dying inside but I know it's not my Mom saying those words to me.
The other day I took her to one of our local restaurants (I try to go to restaurants that know us and she likes the food even though I'm tired of it)
I have been recouping from bronchitis and I drank a cold drink and she tells me "don't drink cold drinks you will get bronchitis and die" I tell her too late I already got it and she starts to cry saying the I need to take care of myself because what will happened to her if I get sick and I die that who will take care of her the way I do (I'm getting teary eye rethinking this) that nobody will take care of her the way I do and that I better move over and make space for her because she would go with me if I die. That made me think of the day she is gone and how empty my life will be without her and I started to cry, the waitress comes to take our order (for the second time) sees us crying and walks away :)
It made me realize that even though she gets Sundown mostly every night, my Mom is still in there......
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