Alzheimers

[Cubby]

I once again need your input. My main interest in LTC is Alzheimers. I have noticed lately that when I lose one of these residents-they have had a significant drop in temperature. One gentleman (And yes, he was) body temp was 90.1 and stayed in that range for a few days. It seems to me that I have read articles on end stage Alzheimers and hypothermia. Now, that I need it, I can't find any information on this. Does anyone know where I can get the information? Thanks in advance my allnurse buds for the input.

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

Wow...I have seen the opposite. It has been my history that their seems to be a surge of energy..and my patients seem to be less agitated and more functional a day or two towards the end of life. Very strange to me, but I have seen it happen too many times to ignore it. And there is a slight increase in temp...very slight.

It is kind of crazy..instead of going 'yeah!' on our patients good days..we tend to go "oh boy, keep a close eye on them". The surge of energy and functional ability increase tends to happen anywhere from 2-3 days prior to a severe decline...very much like a last hurrah so to speak...and it actually tweeks me out! Then there is a increase in temp (slight) and it tends to either increase hours before death, or decrease...I have seen both.

I have seen nonverbals speak, nonmobiles get out of bed (and usually fall), patients remembering things that are recent (when they didn't even know if they ate lunch 5 minutes after eating!), and picky eaters eating everything in front of them. It is very bizzare!!!!!!

Don't know if that will help you, but an interesting thing I discovered you may want to keep your eye out for...it is honestly very bizzare to watch it happen in front of you!

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

I've only seen that once, the lady's rectal temp was 91.something. Bizarre. Don't know if that has anything to do with Alzheimer's. She died a few days later.