Hello,

My 82 year old grandmother(late stage Alzheimers) is in an ALF and was recently hospitalized for a UTI and pneumonia. She has gone dramatically downhill since being ill and since being released from a rehab facility is unable to hold her head up. In the last week she has been receiving hospice care. This afternoon when I visited her she was totally slumped over on the couch with her head practically in her lap. Once we moved her to her bed and had it in a sitting position she was unable to put her head back against the pillow because it was painful - I assume it's muscular pain from her head hanging down. Has anyone else dealt with this and if so, do you have any suggestions. It broke my heart to see her like that and I want to help her be comfortable and engaged in life as much as possible. Thank you.

Hi Toni-
I am so sorry about your grandmother...Yes, my mom did the same thing when they first put her on Risperdal...Hospce decided to cut the morning dose in half and that seemed to help for a while. Then hospice told me that my moms muscles are wasting away and that has presented new problems....She is very hunched over and when she sleeps her legs contract, and her arms shake....she is going to be 86 in July and is very determined to get out of the hosp. bed and walk!!! I don't know where she gets this sudden surge from but it does happen so be prepared ---I call it the "roller coaster ride"----last week she was bed bound and could hardly speak or lift her head off the pillow..Now she wants to walk all the time till she is exhausted. She wheels herself in her wheelchair---then suddenly stands up and holds onto her wheelchair and walks, then sits down again and again. Last night she was so tired she couldn't even talk...Hospice has told me the end could come at any time.
I realize that and pray that God takes her home soon but when you go see her fighting so hard to walk, it is heartbreaking.....I am praying for you and your mom...

So sorry to see the pain and turmoil you and your grandmother are in. Since she is already under the care of hospice, I would phone them immediately and ask for an RN to see her. The RN should know how to help your Gram feel more comfortable.