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Momma
Our mom start showing signs of memory loss around 5 1/2 years ago. She was 68 at the time of onset symptoms. Fast forward to now , Mom is almost 72.
We officially got her diagnosis in Feb of this year, advanced dementia most likely alzheimer's. This past year has been a rollercoaster with mom starting to halucinate at times, it seems like sundowning went from evenings only to now lasting 24 hrs at a time. She thinks she is being held against her will at an institution. She is at her home and has never been in any Type of facility. She is crying alot more and constantly saying "i want to go home". We have tried taking her on a drive and then putting the address in gps for home and then taking her back. This worked twice. We can not afford an in home aid , so it is always just our step dad or one of us with mom. We are open to any suggestions! We just want mom to be happy and it feels unatainable. Prayers to all caregivers and families going through the same as us.
I am so sorry to hear about the difficult journey you and your family are going through with your mother. It is heartbreaking when "home" feels like a place they can no longer find, even when they are already there. Since you mentioned that GPS drives have worked previously, you might try "I know you want to go home; we are going to get things ready so we can leave soon," I did that for my mom and it worked. Engaging her in a repetitive, soothing activity or playing music from her youth might also help manage the 24-hour sundowning and hallucinations. We also started using Passion Flower (an herbal tincture) for my mom and that helped calm her as well. Got it right on Amazon. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071FHMBDD?linkCode=ssc&tag=genevievehald-20&creativeASIN=B071FHMBDD&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1ACB8NN8QW22U&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin&th=1
Please know that you are doing an incredible job under very challenging circumstances. Sending prayers and strength to you, your stepdad, and your entire family.