dementia worse after having bacterial pneumonia

Wow, that does seem like quite the change! I can't advise taking her off meds that a doctor has prescribed, but do log her behavior - is it more erratic right after taking the meds? Can you pinpoint a time of day or event when things seem worse? Document what you can and approach her doctor with this information along with your concerns and see if they consider a change in meds.

If you want my opinion she may be depressed. Science says hospitalization can worsen alzheimers symptoms and do not give a reason. I think it may be because the brain of a person with this disease doesn't adapt well to change anymore. Add fear and stress and that would explain alot. I think she's scared too from what I'm picking up from my grandma I think it's that they are scared. I'm weird it's hard to explain don't really understand it myself yet science says that some people are very good at knowing how people feel. Like if they are scared, sad, vulnerable, angry, frustrated or troubled. Dogs can do this no one knows why exactly, cats do this too with people they like and some people can do this. I'd say they are scared and do not know what to do. So their health deteriorates from being in the hospital because they are scared and fear negatively affects the brain's ability to function. The hospital environment is difficult for anyone it's stressful for anyone. Extreme stress on a brain that cannot handle it causes deteriotation. I'd say what does she still respond to? Did she like birds, does she like dogs or cats? Does she like music? If nothing else take her to the art musuem or a park.

Or get her back to the normal schedule as quickly as possible. My guess is her brain doesn't deal with change as well as it used to. I think try meditation or art. Or different foods later on mild stimulation under a stable environment might help. I'm working on exercises you can do in bed. If you have a priest or someone who can serve as a counselor then get that person. Counselors have an ability to calm people down usually. Failing that one glass of wine around 5pm can ease sundowning. It's worse now isn't it the sundowning? It scares them being in the hospital and it makes them think they are dying probably. That's what I think it is fear that doesn't know where to go or have an outlet. So that means until the fear is less the problems will continue. Try maybe reading the parts of the bible relating to fear and anything reassuring in there so you basically show it is ok. Or have a dog that is gifted with sick people come by. Think on this which I've told you and decide what you think is right.

I'm thinking stimulation of some sort even if it's a card game or an audio book or the radio or the tv or being around kids. You could cook some bread and let the person play with it also ask her what she remembers about bread. If anything alzheimers folks love to talk about old times that might get her talking some. To get her walking I have no clue other than take her to a pool and let her walk around in there some. The main thing is that she feels like victim right now. Try things like getting her to brush her teeth or sing if she did that any procedural skill that she can still do for herself is good. This stuff after the science confirmation of this thing is my own opinion. It may work it may not I do not know.