My mother (80-years-old) has been really struggling with dementia for the last 3yrs. I’ve noticed lately she’s unable to say the names of things (Mt. Dew, Cake) and she thinks all food is coffee cake or cheeseburgers. I could say mom what’d you eat today? Oh, your brother brought me a cheeseburger when I know he didn’t. Does losing words eventually become not talking at all? She has a look of fear/confusion that is so heartbreaking. I can’t focus on the not being able to tell me the name of something sitting right next to her. I just tell her the name of it to which she always responds with, “Yes, Mt. Dew! That’s it.” Where do the words go? I hate dementia but I hate watching her disappear before my eyes even more.
As he began his (our) journey with dementia (diagnosed with Alzheimer's but I think he also had Vascular dementia as well) he talked less and less. I think it could have been that he lost words or he was afraid of making a mistake. But the last about 8 years of his life he was non verbal. He made noises. Almost like a hum or moaning noise. He did laugh on occasion.
When I took him to Adult Day there were residents that did not talk at all, there were some that were verbal.
I think it has more to do with what portion of the brain is most effected by the damage that is done by the dementia.
And I think there is a good possibility that many people with dementia do have mini strokes that are never diagnosed simply because the effects of the mini stroke go unnoticed because of the dementia. If a person without dementia had a mini stroke you might notice a difference in speech or gait but with dementia you may not notice that because the speech and gait are already compromised.
Aphasia = loss of ability to understand or express speech, caused by brain damage.
After a clear diagnosis and full workup by neuro-psych MD I would look up the type of dementia the doctors most believe your mother is suffering from, and what can be done by her state of anxiety.
Some people do become almost completely non-verbal so you are correct. In fact, as an RN I can tell you that many people go back to being curled silently into a fetal position if they live long enough. It is quite sad really to see that full circle.
Be certain to keep a good eye on that urine infection; do dip stick test frequently. They can have a very bad effect on people with dementia.
Online is absolutely full of information for you. In fact you could read all day long and for months and never get all you need to know, so continue to keep reading. Look up "non verbal senior and dementia." You will get a wealth of info.
Marengo is very familiar to me; I spent my girlhood winters on a farm in Woodstock, Il. !
My mom struggles with names of things as well. I've learned to figure out what she's talking about most of the time.
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