Mom is in finial stage under hospice care.
All verbal communication is now gone and she is completely bed-bound. She has been taking namenda and exelon (very exspensive and not covered by insurance). She is now getting unable to swallow and is refusing her meds. I am unsure what to do. I put her in the hospice in-patient facility due to her fast decline over the past couple of weeks. She will be there for 5 days to give me a break and try to get her adjusted for aggression and agitation. I love my mom very dearly but I have to make several decisions this week.

Does anyone know if we slowly stop the namenda and exelon at this late stage she could possibly be less confused and aggressive? When is it morally right to stop giving them? I know her time is running out and she is getting close to the end of this journey and I want her to be as comfortable as possible.

I plan on bringing her back home if possible.

We also have her back on seroquel.

Thanks.

I just have a Scripture that might help to ease your mind. "Be not weary in well doing..." Dealing with sicknesses or illnesses that directly affect the mind are always difficult. As long as you know within your heart that you were there in the best way possible for your parent, don't worry about it.

God will allow her to go so that you can rest. Holding her hand and lullying her to sleep will let her know how much you cared. With problems in the mind, we'll never know what the afflicted loved one is thinking but know this that actions speak louder than words.

I hoped that helped.

Dee Dee
Chicago, IL
resume815@yahoo.com

Dee Dee

Mama slipped away peacefully on Thanksgiving night after 6 days of refusing any meds food or water. She made her decision to go on her terms and we were by her side giving her permission to go and telling her how much we loved and would miss her. She can now rest. The disease won out as I knew it would.

Death came like a thief in the night. After so long seeing her slowly slip away it seems the end came very fast and I was still not ready for it. There is another thread called "Goodbye Sweet Mama" I posted a picture of her if you would like to see under caregivers forum Nov 28.

Thank you so much for the scripture. I remember it from childhood and had forgotten the meaning until you explained it. No matter how much we do for them I still somehow feel I wish I could have done more...

Love you,