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My late husband who also had vascular dementia, developed aspiration pneumonia in 2018 and almost died. And because he almost died, he developed sepsis and septic shock and was bedridden until his death in 2020.
The doctor at the ER told me that because of my husbands dementia that his brain was no longer telling his throat to close when eating or drinking, thus allowing his food and drink to go directly into his lungs instead of his stomach.
It's very serious so please call her doctor today to get her swallowing tested.
And it may also be time to bring hospice on board. My late husband was under hospice care in our home for the last 22 months of his life.
I'm quite sure that your mom would qualify for their assistance now.
This could be pneumonia with the increase in phlegm and if so could be due to aspiration of foodstuff into the lung.
This means no more food until you speak directly with MD, so do call urgent care or advice RN for immediate followup on this.
A swallow deficit means that a swallow evaluation needs to be done. It can often be done in home by OT personnel initially. If they find evidence of a deficit there may need to be tranport to hospital for further swallow testing.
https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/zenkers-diverticulum
This is fixed by surgery and my Aunt (who has most of her cognitive faculties) has declined treatment. She still gets enough nutrition down to be mobile and healthy but it is torturous to watch her having to gurgle and spit out food along with a whole bunch of clear saliva (or whatever). Sounds like your Mom is not a candidate for treatment, if this is what she has.
My mother passed almost a year ago. I took a picture of the last image of her tray table. Her water was left untouched.
My mum was recently hospitalised with aspiration pneumonia, and it's amazing that she ever pulled through.
However, not eating could be the next step.
I think that acceptance will be the best way for you to cope with the next stage of your mum's illness. It's horrible to see our loved ones not eating, but we just have to make them as comfortable as possible.
I do not know if she is home (with you) or in a facility.
No regular water. Only thickened water.
A person with dementia can "forget" how to swallow or fluids and sometimes food that is supposed to get swallowed are taken into the lungs, aspiration.
If she is having this problem with foods you can thicken thin foods and fluids.
Stopping eating and drinking are also steps that the body takes as End Of Life begins. The body no longer needs the nutrients and she will not feel hunger like you or I would. She will not feel thirst as we would either.
If she does not want to eat or drink, do not force it. You can offer but not force.
A swab with water to moisten the mouth is good.
Do you have Hospice? They would be of great help. they will have a Nurse come in at least 1 time a week, a CNA will come at least 2 times a week and she / he will give mom a bath or shower (or bed bath) and order supplies that will be delivered.
They are a great support.
Can you update us?
Have you seen/talked to a doctor yet about this swallow deficit issue?
“Thank you” for all of your helpful and concerning replies. Wonderful to know this caring network is available to Caregivers.
Thanks so much for your feedback; we are thinking about you.