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I recently placed my mother in a convalescent hospital. She had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and untreatable cancerous leasions on her liver and lower intestines. She was diagnosed in the year 2002. My question is about her behavior since she was admitted. Everytime I visit her, daily, she responds to my voice and it seems she knows who I am but she will not open her eyes at all through the visit. I am wondering could this be some medication the hospital gives her or is this a sign of the AD or cancer progressing? Or possibly some sort of depression or negative behavior she is acting out because of being placed in the hospital. Any explanation would be of help. Thanks.
I'm not qualified to give you medical advice, but I spent many years visiting my mother in a nursing home. She was in physical pain, and had dementia. She did respond to me, but it was often in a resentful way. I think she was resentful about her health, her situation, her aging and all the pain - and I was the person she could take it out on. What I'm saying is that your mother may be depressed on some level, and ignoring you, by not opening her eyes, may be her way of denying reality - of coping somehow. She also may be "punishing" you, like my mother did with her attitude (only at times). If this is AD specific, I'm not sure, but you have my ear, and maybe someone else can chime in. The very best to you. You're on a long journey. We are with you. Carol
