My Mom has been suffering from Alz for the last 7 years and has been in an alz unit of assisted Living for the last 2. She has her own room and Last Tuesday she fell while alone in her room.
She had a small lump on her head and was taken to the emergency room. They performed all the tests and said nothing was broken and back she went. She has basically been in bed the whole time since then. They come get her for meals but when I go she is always in bed and doesn't know who I am. She did know me before the fall. Today she said maybe 'it's time to go'. Is there a chance she'll recover? Or is this more serious because she has alz?

Dear Barbara:
One of the more difficult aspects of experiencing the progression of Alzheimer's disease with one of our loved ones is when we share in their no longer seeming to know who we are- let alone recognizing their surroundings.

I cannot say whether your mother will recover to some extent from the decline she's experienced since her recent fall; however, I do know that more often than not persons with dementia (PWDs) will experience a progression with the disease after a physical, emotional or environmental trauma. A fall of this nature is "more serious" as a result of the fore mentioned.

All I can do is conject as to what might happen, but I do know that even when PWDs no longer correctly recognize us, they most often associate us with someone whom they loved and cared for in their earlier lives (such as a sibling or parent). It's certainly possible that she may gain some cognition as her body recovers from the trauma it experienced on Tuesday; however, this is something that your mother's doctors are in a better position to reflect upon medically.

What is important is that you are certainly there for her and will continue to be. I'm not sure what she was implying when she said "maybe it's time to go", but I do know that she is trying to make sense of her world with a brain/memory that no longer has the ability to reason,negotiate and understand as it once did. None of this is easy- on either of you. So please treat yourself with the same compassion you obviously have for her.

If we can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us at our 24/7 Helpline at: 1-800-272-3900.

Best wishes,