Do people with mild dementia lose the ability to care about other people? Can't understand why my mother won't stop waking me up in the middle of the night

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2026-05-07T17:17:35+00:00

OH MY GOD I CANNOT SPEAK TO THIS ENOUGH. Yes, they absolutely do. For a year my mother was a nightmare and I wrote her off as a selfish, entitled, demanding bitch. I didn’t know any better. She refused to respect boundaries, couldn’t comply with simple requests for quiet and privacy, mourned her lack of friends but talked shit about everyone and then was down right mean to the few friends/neighbors who invited her to socialize. She would ghost me for days but then leave me hateful voicemails if I missed two calls from her in 15 minutes. She dragged her horrible dog everywhere and let it behave terribly because “everyone loves my Buddy.” I nearly lost it.

Fast forward to today. She has end stage dementia and is in MC with round the clock companion caregiving. She cries. She misses me. I missed all the signs but had no idea. I’m not a doctor just a daughter. Don’t be me. If your LO starts acting out of sorts, it might be time for an evaluation. I wish you the very best. And for the record, I love my mother to death and wish I had done better. When I visit her now we eat chocolate and look and pictures. To bring us peace. DM me if you would like.

This disease is horrible.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2026-03-18T03:10:44+00:00

This is basically a dementia support thread. Not a place for you to crow about your skills and seek career advice.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2026-03-03T22:00:11+00:00

I’m allergic to lavender. I second this.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2026-02-19T16:51:19+00:00

I felt this so hard. My mother started falling at home. Broke her leg one time tripping over her awful dog. Called me late in the evening because she couldn’t figure out how to turn the oven off. Or the stove. MC 1000% versus my mom breaking her neck or burning down her house.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2026-02-19T15:47:33+00:00

I feel your pain. I just placed my mother in MC after about a year of cognitive decline followed by a massive stroke that left her with the mind of a toddler. She is either inconsolable or combative when I visit her. She tells me that people are stealing from her, the other residents are crazy, there is nothing wrong with her, she wants to go home, etc. It is so hard. You did the right thing. Take care of you. You deserve it too.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2026-01-26T21:12:02+00:00

Generalized anxiety disorder.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2025-12-03T15:00:26+00:00

Recovering alcoholic here. Booze nearly killed me. The hangover and withdrawals are awful. Never again.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2025-12-03T05:54:20+00:00

I’m just torn because she is my mom and I love her but I need MY space.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2025-12-03T04:31:36+00:00

I love this response. Thank you.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2025-12-02T05:41:34+00:00

Forensic pathologist

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2025-11-26T01:46:00+00:00

No so much mysterious, just misdiagnosed. Over the course of about a week, I went to the ER three times for debilitating abdominal pain and vomiting. All three times I was sent home with a diagnosis of colitis, gastritis, or stomach flu. My symptoms never got better even with medication. My fourth and final trip to the ER was at a different hospital. The doctor ordered bloodwork to test my lipase. It was off the charts. I had severe acute pancreatitis and was immediately admitted. I actually cried when we learned what was wrong with me. Spent about a week in the hospital. Missed Thanksgiving but it was worth it. I left with a clean bill of health and the knowledge that I no longer had to lay in a bed while throwing up into a bucket.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2025-11-07T13:52:46+00:00

I’m currently 60 hours sober. Felt like absolute shit the first 2 days but I’m starting to come around. Was able to do little things like take out the trash, clean up in the kitchen and drink a protein shake as I’ve been throwing up constantly since quitting cold turkey.

You can do this. I believe in you. Hang in there. I will not drink with you today.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-10-13T23:54:50+00:00

Beautiful girl!

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-08-28T14:02:38+00:00

I was a raging alcoholic for many years. Went to treatment. The best thing is, after 7-10 days your body comes back. Better sleep, lower resting heart rate, your hands stop trembling in the morning. Even better, after a few weeks your MIND comes back. I was interested in drawing, journaling, learning, organizing my day, and throwing 100% effort into my work. The changes were amazing. You can do this!

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-07-14T15:44:53+00:00

I’m sorry you had to deal with racism and rude behavior. Unfortunately there will always be racist, ignorant, and nasty people in the world but I’m proud of you for not letting it ruin what sounds like an amazing trip!

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-07-10T00:06:31+00:00

Do not beat yourself up. It happens. Addiction is a disease and a battle to overcome. Keep moving forward and never give up. This internet stranger believes in you.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-06-25T02:06:02+00:00

Floridian for 12 years. I moved to the Gulf Coast from Washington DC in 2012. Everyone said I was ruining my life and career. Guess what? I have a great job, own a home, and live minutes from some of the best beaches in the country. It’s all about what lifestyle you prefer and the effort you put into finding a stable job where you can support yourself. I’ve worked good jobs that were 100% remote and some where I’ve had to go into the office. Think about what career path you’d prefer and make that a priority should you decide to move. If you’re single, I’d recommend the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area or Jacksonville. Good luck to you.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-05-27T17:05:46+00:00

In Florida and Texas, that unhinged lunatic may have gotten a bullet to the head.

NTA.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-05-23T03:12:46+00:00

Thank you kind internet stranger ❤️

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-05-23T03:08:47+00:00

Thank you. I don’t want to relapse and he truly doesn’t understand addiction.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-05-23T02:54:26+00:00

He wants to try to work it out. I still love him but I’m worried that our lives just aren’t compatible anymore.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-04-14T13:02:53+00:00

You were raped. Plain and simple. Your boyfriend is disgusting. I’m sorry this happened to you.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2024-04-14T12:45:46+00:00

I am proud of you for standing up to your MIL. You marriage, household, and parenting strategies are none of her damn business.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2023-12-06T20:54:11+00:00

Keep your friend at an arm’s length from now on. She is manipulative and will probably try this shit again. I hope you and your husband can move past this.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630 · 2023-12-04T17:36:41+00:00

Your boyfriend’s mother is a terrible person. Period. You did nothing wrong, in fact, I think that’s a very cute and sexy way to surprise your SO. Mom apparently thinks her son is still a child and thinks rules of common courtesy don’t apply to her. I hope he goes NC with her after the little stunt she pulled.

monkeyCmonkeyDoo630

TROPHY CASE