If your loved one died due to Alzheimers,

[Marylou]

how did he/she die?

 

Pneumonia?

 

Sepsis?

 

Starvation?

 

Other?

 

Did you use Hospice services?

[FairyMom]

Pneumonia, mostly. She aspirated her food. It got to the point she forgot how to swallow and bits of food would get into her lungs causing infection and pneumonia. Not pleasant... so sorry. :grouphug:

 

ETA: We had in-home care for a long time until she started wandering. She was in a nursing home for the last part of her life.

[*Lulu*]

A combination of heart problems and an upper resp. infection. She was in an assisted living that specifically catered to patients with dementia.

 

ETA- we tried in home hospice, but she became very combative. She was able to have a sense of independence at the assisted living center, and, when her situation became very serious, they were able to move her to a secure wing and provide 'round the clock care.

[felicity]

My Grandmother fell out of bed and broke her hip. My Dad did some research that said that some large percent of people with Alzheimer's that break their hips die within a year. I don't remember what the percentage was, but it was true with my Grandma.

 

I hate and fear Alzheimer's like nothing else.

[CAMom]

My grandma died of pneumonia after she aspirated.

 

My dad died almost two months ago at age 68. He had Alzheimer's and stopped eating about 10 days before his death.

 

We used hospice with my dad.

[*Lulu*]

My Grandmother fell out of bed and broke her hip. My Dad did some research that said that some large percent of people with Alzheimer's that break their hips die within a year. I don't remember what the percentage was, but it was true with my Grandma.

 

I hate and fear Alzheimer's like nothing else.

 

:grouphug: I know what you mean.

[JenneinCA]

My grandma died of a urinary tract infection.

[Mergath]

My grandpa died with advanced Alzheimers, but I don't know if that was what killed him, if that makes sense. From what I remember, my mom told me it was heart failure. He was in his late eighties, and was in a nursing home at the time.

 

My aunt is in the early stages of Alzheimers, and will probably drink herself to death. She was an alcoholic, and hadn't drank for decades. Once the memory issues and confusion got bad enough, though, she started drinking again. From what my mom tells me, she's up to a bottle of gin a day, and her health is failing pretty fast. She's been back to short-term rehab a couple of times now, but it doesn't do much good if you keep forgetting you shouldn't drink. :crying:

[DianeW88]

Pneumonia, mostly. She aspirated her food. It got to the point she forgot how to swallow and bits of food would get into her lungs causing infection and pneumonia. Not pleasant... so sorry. :grouphug:

 

ETA: We had in-home care for a long time until she started wandering. She was in a nursing home for the last part of her life.

 

This. Aspiration pneumonia is very common among Alzheimer's patients and is often fatal. That was the cause of my grandmother's death. My FIL currently has Alzheimer's and is in a nursing home.

[Reesegirl]

My fil with Alzheimer's developed bladder cancer and died a month later. He had been in an Alzheimer's unit for 3 years and had lost all sense of recognition of his family. We miss him.

[Munchkins_mama]

My Grandpa just wasted away. He was in hospice. He couldn't eat anymore.

[lailasmum]

My dad had something similar, Lewy Body Dementia, He died of pneumonia in our local cottage hospital.

[urbanfamily]

My FIL died when he was 63.(Alzheimer's diagnoses at 52)

He got too drowsy to swallow and kept taking off feeding tube. He also had UTI.

Doctors didn't think it was worth to get tube through stomach. So no more feeding tubes. He died peacefully surrounded by all family a week later.

[....]

My aunt is in the early stages of Alzheimers, and will probably drink herself to death. She was an alcoholic, and hadn't drank for decades. Once the memory issues and confusion got bad enough, though, she started drinking again. From what my mom tells me, she's up to a bottle of gin a day, and her health is failing pretty fast. She's been back to short-term rehab a couple of times now, but it doesn't do much good if you keep forgetting you shouldn't drink. :crying:

 

This is exactly what my grandparents are doing. And nursing homes in the area won't accept them because they aren't equipped to deal with geriatric substance abuse (that's what they keep telling us).

[Hunter's Moon]

My grandmother was having mini strokes since her 50s. She died of starvation because eventually that part of her brain shut down.

[mom2scouts]

MY FIL had Alzheimer's and he was in a facility that was only for those with Alzheimer's disease. He went to his room to get ready for dinner and didn't come back. They found him dead in a chair from an apparent heart attack.

[OLG]

My Dad's death began with a urinary track infection, progressed to lack of any appetite then sepsis and when in hospice, I would say it was starvation and morphine. To this day, I question the administration of the dosage of morphine. They used patches which I have read can cause death so I am left with a lingering doubt. After that experience, I think I have a love-hate relationship with some hospice care....

[DawnM]

I am not entirely sure. My Grandma had Alzheimers and died while I was overseas. I know she was in hospice for several months.

 

Dawn

[mchel210]

My grandfather went into hospice when he stopped swallowing. He stopped being able to take breathes shortly after and past away.

[happyhomemaker]

Dh's grandmother was in an assisted living home with a secure wing for Alzheimer's patients. She fell asleep in a rocker and fell out and broke her hip. She went to the hospital for surgery and never came out. They were unable to do the surgery b/c she had an infection of some sort and after that it seemed like her body just started shutting down. She was only there for a day or 2 before she died.

 

Btw, if anyone in the GA area is looking for a place to put a loved one with Alzheimer's, the place dh's grandmother was in was wonderful. The staff could not have been nicer and often went out of their way to care for his grandmother. I can't remember the name, but it's in Commerce, GA. If you want the name, just pm me.

[LizzyBee]

My dad fell and broke a rib, leading to pneumonia. He was mostly bedridden, but he was doing better that day, so Mom got him up to go to the bathroom, and that's where he fell. He was at home until just a couple days before he died, and in the hospital when he died. My dad has one brother still living with alzheimers and 2 sisters who died with it.

 

My maternal grandmother couldn't eat anymore, and my aunt put a feeding tube in. She was skeletal when she died.

 

My maternal grandfather's mother also had alzheimer's, but I'm not sure what she specifically died from.

Edited November 20, 2011 by LizzyBee

[justamouse]

hospice

stopped eating

stopped breathing

[justamouse]

This is exactly what my grandparents are doing. And nursing homes in the area won't accept them because they aren't equipped to deal with geriatric substance abuse (that's what they keep telling us).

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

 

nursing homes SUCK

 

'we're not equipped to deal with that' is all we heard. Like my 4 ft MIL would be able to control her Alz 6 ft husband?

 

It ended fast, for us, but had it not, it would have eaten all of her savings and ours to take care of him.

 

9000 a month for nursing care.

[*Inna*]

Pneumonia. Nursing home.

[CLBMom]

My grandmother died of sepsis from a uti. I'm a hospice nurse and have worked in an alzheimers special care unit. Infections seem to get most of them :(

[LittleIzumi]

My Grandmother fell out of bed and broke her hip. My Dad did some research that said that some large percent of people with Alzheimer's that break their hips die within a year. I don't remember what the percentage was, but it was true with my Grandma.

 

Dh's grandmother had Alzheimers, finally was placed in a nursing home after there was a combative incident at home, and broke her hip. She had surgery but she died a few days later.

[NorthwestMom]

My mother had late-stage Alzheimer's and was just barely still mobile when she fell and broke her hip. She developed pneumonia, we placed her in hospice, and she died within a week. I LOVED the hospice and they were excellent.

 

Her brother had both Alzheimer's and Lewy-Body dementia (confirmed by autopsy). He had a very rapid decline and after a few months came down with a virus that quickly progressed to pneumonia, then died.

 

As the medical decision maker for my mother, I had not allowed her to be vaccinated for the flu or pneumonia for several years. Pneumonia has the nickname "friend of the elderly" for a reason. I'm glad she passed quickly from that instead of suffering for months from slow organ shutdown. I know there is room for ethical debate on that decision, but I feel completely comfortable with what I did, and my sisters do too.

[ZooRho]

we don't know for sure if my dad has alzheimer's or just dementia. he is on hospice.

 

I had 2 aunts that also had it.

 

I know one had some sort of lung issue, not sure if it was pnemonia or not.

[ZooRho]

My mother had late-stage Alzheimer's and was just barely still mobile when she fell and broke her hip. She developed pneumonia, we placed her in hospice, and she died within a week. I LOVED the hospice and they were excellent.

 

Her brother had both Alzheimer's and Lewy-Body dementia (confirmed by autopsy). He had a very rapid decline and after a few months came down with a virus that quickly progressed to pneumonia, then died.

 

As the medical decision maker for my mother, I had not allowed her to be vaccinated for the flu or pneumonia for several years. Pneumonia has the nickname "friend of the elderly" for a reason. I'm glad she passed quickly from that instead of suffering for months from slow organ shutdown. I know there is room for ethical debate on that decision, but I feel completely comfortable with what I did, and my sisters do too.

We have made a decision to not agressively treat my dad's diabetes. They are just maintaining it with in reason.

 

we also won't be replacing his pacemaker either.

[6packofun]

Dh's grandmother had late stage Alzheimer's when she came to live with us. She finally had a stroke and her wishes were for no lifesaving measures once she could no longer eat/function--NO feeding tube. She was very weak and far gone, but lasted 8 days. It was extremely difficult.

 

Her body had already been very weakened by a urinary tract infection which can be common in those who are having incontinence and need help with their daily living needs. It really went downhill for her quickly after she was in the hospital with that infection.

[JeneralMom]

My grandmother lost the ability to swallow. She wasted away to absolutely nothing and eventually wouldn't even take water. At that point she was placed in the hospital and the decision was made to let her go peacefully.

[Spock]

My grandmother with Alzheimer's died after a broken hip. I'm not sure what the official cause of death was. She was in a nursing home, but my aunt lived in the same city and was with her most of the day every day.

 

My mother is in the early stages of Alzheimer's now, and also has periodic small seizures that she is taking medications for.

[ErinE]

My great grandmother and it was starvation.

[lionfamily1999]

Drowning, but I believe it was listed as pneumonia. She inhaled the water instead of swallowing and no one knew until her lungs were nearly full.

 

:grouphug:

[cathmom]

My dh's aunt had Alzheimer's. She died while uncle was out, by falling and striking her head on the kitchen counter.

[usetoschool]

My Grandmother fell out of bed and broke her hip. My Dad did some research that said that some large percent of people with Alzheimer's that break their hips die within a year. I don't remember what the percentage was, but it was true with my Grandma.

 

Our sweet next door neighbor died last week after falling. She had been home with her husband until the fall. She broke her hip and he placed her in an extended care facility and she passed away within a week. They couldn't get her to swallow any food or take her medication.

[cassiemc]

All of these stories are sadder than sad. DH's grandmother is in a nursing home right now with Alzheimer's. DH's mother is showing early signs. This disease scares me to death. Our whole family walked in our local Alzheimer's Fundraiser walk. It was a great experience and every little bit helps. I hope a cure is found soon.

[G5052]

Dysphasia (inability to swallow)

Stroke

Dehydration

 

She was in hospice for about a week. She died two days after they couldn't get her to eat or drink any more.

[m0mmaBuck]

My dad had Alzheimers and Parkinsons. He was in a home for almost exactly 6 mos before he died although he had suffered for years prior to getting to a point where Mom could no longer physically handle him anymore. He wasn't violent; he just couldn't get his brain to tell his body what to do. He died of lung sepsis but I'm not sure which of the two pre-existing diseases brought it on.

[angela in ohio]

Cancer

 

My grandmother had her breast cancer return, and her children decided not to treat it considering. She suffered with Alzheimer's for decades (she was a fighter.)

 

I have an uncle and an aunt (2 of her 6 children) diagnosed recently, too.

[sparrow]

This is quite possibly one of the most depressing threads I've read here :crying:.

 

My mom has Lewy Body Dementia. I wonder how she'll go.

 

:grouphug: to all that have lost a loved one.

[m0mmaBuck]

This is quite possibly one of the most depressing threads I've read here :crying:.

 

My mom has Lewy Body Dementia. I wonder how she'll go.

 

:grouphug: to all that have lost a loved one.

 

I wonder if that's what my dad actually had. Mom always said he had both Parkinsons and Alzheimers but it seemed a lot more like LBD. :grouphug:

[jennsmile]

My grandma died in her sleep Christmas morning. She was a in a care facility for Memory Care patients.

[Marylou]

This is quite possibly one of the most depressing threads I've read here :crying:.

 

My mom has Lewy Body Dementia. I wonder how she'll go.

 

:grouphug: to all that have lost a loved one.

 

Thank you all for taking the time to share your stories. Yes, they are extremely sad.

 

My dMIL, with whom we live, recently lost the ability to feed herself, talk and walk. I'm thinking it will not be long before she can't swallow anymore :crying:.

 

We started with Hospice last week.

[FairyMom]

Thank you all for taking the time to share your stories. Yes, they are extremely sad.

 

My dMIL, with whom we live, recently lost the ability to feed herself, talk and walk. I'm thinking it will not be long before she can't swallow anymore :crying:.

 

We started with Hospice last week.

 

 

:grouphug: I know how hard it is right now. You want to let her go to be in peace, but you'll miss her at the same time. Everyone reacts differently. Give yourself some grace during this time. Even though this was really sad reading all the posts, I hope it brought you some comfort to be able to reach out and share with others who have been there.

[justamouse]

Thank you all for taking the time to share your stories. Yes, they are extremely sad.

 

My dMIL, with whom we live, recently lost the ability to feed herself, talk and walk. I'm thinking it will not be long before she can't swallow anymore :crying:.

 

We started with Hospice last week.

 

Not long. And it's excruciating to watch. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

[Hoggirl]

:grouphug: to all of you who have been through this painful experience.

[sparrow]

Thank you all for taking the time to share your stories. Yes, they are extremely sad.

 

My dMIL, with whom we live, recently lost the ability to feed herself, talk and walk. I'm thinking it will not be long before she can't swallow anymore :crying:.

 

We started with Hospice last week.

 

:grouphug::grouphug: I'm so sorry.

[Sunshine State Sue]

I hate and fear Alzheimer's like nothing else.

I recently read The Engine 2 Diet book by Rip Esselstyn. What I read in there about dementia/Alzheimer's strengthened my resolve to eat largely a plant-based diet. I highly recommend it. Knowledge is power.

 

My 87yo mom is in assisted living with dementia.

Edited November 21, 2011 by Sue in St Pete

[lailasmum]

I wonder if that's what my dad actually had. Mom always said he had both Parkinsons and Alzheimers but it seemed a lot more like LBD. :grouphug:

 

My dad had LBD, it was surprising how hard it was to get information about it at the time (he died in 1998). It definitely had a lot of both Parkinsons and Alzheimers characteristics.