And the beat goes on...

Who knew I'd need the goodies from the previous post to get through the rest of yesterday ?!?
It was a horrible day.Mother has "small vessel disease"...hardening of the arteries of the brain,that causes gradual loss of brain function,dementia,personality changes...sudden changes of behavior,a lessening of competence.
A friend,kind enough to lend a telephone shoulder to cry on last night ,asked what the difference was between Mother's condition and Alzheimer's.It seems not to be that different,when comparing her behavior and that of Alzheimer's patients . She was demanding,arguementative,unreasonable (funny remark to make about someone with dementia...no pun intended),and a real handful . The errands were not different from those we do every week , but today the ordeal of getting to the grocery store was almost too much to bear.It started with Mom not wanting to put on her coat...as in she would NOT put on her coat ! The weather has turned chilly and insisting on the garment now would ward off a cold later.I closed the door and said we wouldn't be going anywhere unless she put on the coat . The coat eventually went on . Okay,and we're off ? Nooooo.Next she announces she'll go with me (as if she could be left unattended !),but she's going to stay in the car . Again,the door closes and my intention restated . We actually do get to the store and the shopping is accomplished without too much weirdness,and we're back home . Again a pronouncement from Mother...stating that I have to get her out of here...NOW !!! "But the groceries have to be put away,and I've just put a pot of soup on the stove to slow cook ".She paces through the house-coat still on-,agitation increasing,until she confronts me,demanding that "We've got to get out ,before the cops get here !" !!!!!
It got worse from there.Needless to say , the appointment with the new doctor was moved up to Monday,as I doubt my endurance to wait a week or more . We're going for a geriatric doctor with a specialty in Alzheimer's and behavior problems ...BINGO !! That's us ! Hopefully , he'll be able to prescribe the proper medication to make her comfortable,overcome the horrors of Sundown Syndrome (I don't know which is worse...the forceful demands to get out of this house and "GO HOME " ,or the inconsolable sobs ,missing her people ). These episodes are sprinkled through the day , thankfully,and not the whole day .There are times when she tells me how grateful she is for all that's done for her,and that she loves me...times when I move my chair next to hers to watch TV in the evening and my hand spends the time firmly enfolded in hers . She's still in there,somewhere,but the other behavior is so hard to witness ...so unlike her. Maybe the doctor can also prescribe the services of a home health aid for us .Being a 24/7 caregiver wears one thin and an hour or two to myself would go a long way. I'll keep you posted. Keep us in prayers.