Descent into Alzheimer's Disease

The morning started out calmly, with Mom getting out of bed without too much prodding. I had a full day planned. Since I had a dental appointment at 10AM, I intended to get Mom to the care center by 9AM so I could take my walk in Vinton before scooting over to Dr Skinner’s office nearby. I wanted to get home in time to do school with Chris before he had to leave for work. There were no problems until I went back to pick up Mom early for her mammogram appointment. I brought along some Seroquel and Ativan so I could drug Mom ahead of time (see, I am learning!). She actually took the meds without much of a fight, but then ten minutes later she got up and walked out. I guess I should explain a bit more about the situation.

The adult care center Mom attends on Wednesdays is staffed by volunteers from a local church. It’s located right next door to her primary care physician, which is where her mammogram was scheduled. The other care center I utilize is a locked facility located at the VA hospital (although not affiliated). Even though her behavior is unpredictable, I have hesitated taking her out of the church run facility simply because they have a 2-1 patient - caregiver ratio and the walls are mostly glass, thus providing much light which I believes helps her also. ANYWAY, she gets jealous whenever I talk to other people, so after I came in and gave her the meds, she began to get agitated when I sat down to converse with everyone. Before the Ativan had a chance to kick in, she walked out the door. One of the workers went to retrieve her and she managed to get her to re-enter the building, only to have Mom walk right back out the other door again. BTW, she PROBABLY wouldn’t have walked out like that had I not been there. It seems like she knows somewhat the behavior that is expected of her when I am not around and abides in some small way to it. Anyway, I told them I would just go ahead and take her next door for her appointment. What a mistake. She went in with me, but refused to sit down and proceeded to pace around the offices, going into restricted areas and such. The entire time I am trying to get her to come with me and to sit down. She is loudly protesting and telling me off the whole time. I’m sure we were a sight to behold; me, with half of my face paralyzed by Novocain, looking like a stroke victim trying to subdue someone having a psychotic episode. After she charged back out the front door, I quickly asked them to cancel her appointment and followed her.

Another big scene in the parking lot was next. We walked around the adult care center a couple of times, but I grabbed her arm to restrain her when she tried to cross the street. One of the workers came out to help me, but it still took a good 15 minutes to get her into the car. She was very agitated and just ranting and raving up a storm. I was promising her ice cream and home and whatever. I waited in the car for a couple of minutes to make sure she was calm enough not to open the door and try to jump out while I was driving. She was fine on the ride home and once we got home. Of course, she has no idea anything at all happened today and I am a basket case. Right now I feel like I never want to try to take her to another doctor appointment.

Ecclesiastes 7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.