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I just found out my grandmother who has dementia also has heart failure she's having a lot of trouble swallowing and her blood pressure is extremely low. Would heart failure medication be helpful for someone in this condition? Dementia is extremely confusing to me and I'm just trying to understand what my grandmother is coming through.

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Gee, I'm so sorry that you are facing so many health challenges that gma is having! (((hugs))))))).

Trouble swallowing is a very big sign sometimes that dementia has advanced to the end stage. It means that the body is no longer capable of processing food.

Has anyone at the hospital talked to you about whether hospice services might be a good thing to look at?
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anonymous894959 Mar 2019
Yes my family has discussed it. Yesterday she has this turn around where she was sitting up and talking but the day before I literally thought she was dying that day. Thanks so much for your help. I do feel like we're losing her but I guess I just don't want to. This all just started a few days before Christmas and it's happening so fast! Thanks again I really appreciate your help! ♡
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The "Care Topics" on the Blue Ribbon at the top of the website might be helpful as they have several articles regarding dementia and trouble swallowing and low blood pressure, etc.  Or you can Google "WebMD" website or Alzheimer's website or American Heart Association website for more information.  These website will provide basic information that might answer some of your questions and help direct you towards other helpful websites.

I am sorry that your grandmother is experiencing so many health problems at the same time.  You mentioned in your profile that your aunt told you about this website.  Are your parents willing to discuss your grandmother's health problems with you or are they ignoring your concerns?
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anonymous894959 Mar 2019
Thanks so much for leading me to Care topics and WebMD. I keep reading about all of this and every step of dementia is my Nanny exactly! My family is extremely helpful, my Aunt is on here somewhere looking for answers herself and she was telling me about an amazing response she received so I joined and she was right! Everyone on here is so helpful. I'm just confused how this happened so quickly. But my Dad and Aunt won't leave her side and they keep me updated a few times a day if I can't make it to visit. Thanks so much again for the websites. They are all making this disease less confusing and a little easier to deal with this situation. ♡
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Not sure how much medication will help. Usually someone with heart failure is given water pills. The problem is the heart muscle just can't do it job anymore,
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Did she ever sign a medical directive? Did she ever discuss what kind of treatment she wanted if she had dementia?
Did she ever say something like, "I don't want to live for years without even recognizing you or knowing my own name!"
Did she ever say something like, "No matter what happens, I don't want to end up like --fill in blank with name of relative who had severe dementia--. I'd rather die first!"
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anonymous894959 Mar 2019
No, she really hasn't that I know of but my Aunt and Dad probably know. I'll ask them. I do know her mother had dementia so I'm sure she did tell them what she wants. I think I'm just in denial and don't want her to go through this. She had a great day yesterday. But the day before I was so scared we were losing her! My family did already have the talk with the doctor about those things. I'm going to ask my Dad... Now I'm curious. Thanks so much.
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