Yesterday, my elderley Mother had a fit for the first time in her life. She has dementia. Any advice?

She is 77 years old. She had a fit for the very first time. Doctor told me that it was common with patients suffering from dementia. What I want to know is the correct procedure and what to do if it happens again. Please post links to the best sites for this. Remember, she does NOT have epilepsy (but I suppose a fit is all of the same kind?)Yesterday, my elderley Mother had a fit for the first time in her life. She has dementia. Any advice?
What you really need to do is ask your doctor for advice on what to do if she fits whilst with you . certainly you must try not to panic , remain calm and try to prevent your mum from hurting herself


There are particular things like the way you hold the patient , and ensure air ways remain open but that needs the medical people close to your case to advise


This must be very distressing for you all and I send my best wishesYesterday, my elderley Mother had a fit for the first time in her life. She has dementia. Any advice?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovery_po鈥?/a>





Put her in the recovery position. Well ventilated room and keep her hydrated.
It IS common with anyone who has any type of brain damage (as dementia is).





Unless your mum's doctor thinks it necessary for her to take medication (which in itself would affect her brain, and possibly interact with any other medication she takes), there is nothing you can do. The chances of her having fits on a regular basis are very small, and that fit may have even been a one-off.





IF you are ever present during a fit, simply ensure that your mum doesn't injure herself when she falls or thrashes about. Hold her hand, talk reassuringly, in a quiet voice, until the fit stops. Then make her comfortable (cushion under her head, blanket over her, etc) until she feels able to get up and sit on a chair. NEVER put anything in a person's mouth during a fit, and do NOT give them any medicines, tablets, food or drink, until they are completely awake and alert.





IF a fit lasts for longer than 5 minutes, ring 999 for an ambulance. IF the patient bites their tongue, don't worry - it will heal perfectly well, and does not require medical assistance.





Lastly, seeing someone having a fit can be upsetting, but looks much worse than it is. Keep calm, don't panic, and offer reassurance to the patient. The person having the fit will usually feel tired,and may sleep a lot, after a fit. A headache often follows, too.
in the uk there are care agencies who will come in and take a look at your situation...


they will advise of how to go about giving the best care for most types of age related illnesses..
You could either see the doctor and get some advice and pamphlets.


Or The St John's Ambulance teach people this things.


Or find a society for people who have dementia and ask their advice.





I do hope you sort this soon. Good luck.
That must have been very harrowing, I'm annoyed that your doc didn't tell you what to do if it happens again - surely that's basic patient care information that you need. However, I've had a look and can't find any information on people with alzheimer's having fits, but try teh Alzheimer's society because they have lots of support and information. Good luck to you.
There are many things you can do to help your loved one be safe at home. For example, get rid of throw rugs, and put handrails in bathrooms to help prevent falls. Post reminder notes around the house. Put a list of important phone numbers by the telephone. You also can help your loved one stay active. Play cards or board games, and take walks.





Work with your loved one to make decisions about the future before dementia gets worse. It is important to write a living will and a durable power of attorney. A living will states the types of medical care your loved one wants. A durable power of attorney lets your loved one pick someone to be the health care agent. This person makes care decisions after your loved one cannot.





Watching a loved one slip away can be sad and scary. Caring for someone with dementia can leave you feeling drained. Be sure to take care of yourself and to give yourself breaks. Ask family members to share the load, or get other help.





Your loved one will need more and more care as dementia gets worse. In time, he or she may need help to eat, get dressed, or use the bathroom. You may be able to give this care at home, or you may want to think about using a nursing home. A nursing home can give this kind of care 24 hours a day. The time may come when a nursing home is the best choice.





You are not alone. Many people have loved ones with dementia. Ask your doctor about local support groups, or search the Internet for online support groups, such as the Alzheimer's Association. Help is available.