@Lost sister

[Jennywen]

Hi everyone, i am new to writing on forums but i miss my 66yr old sister who used to be my best friend. She has had schizo-affective bipolar for abour 25 yrs, had a good job, husband and close to our mum. She went thru many mania and depression episodes and in between these was a productive, caring, enjoying life person. She also has congenital blindness. Her husband and our mum died 10 yrs ago. Since 2 yrs ago she has stopped caring for herself, says she is not depressed and has total blunted affect. She has lost all insight into her condition and lays in bed 22 hrs a day. She refuses all help and after being in public hospital for fainting, is being put in aged care. I don't know how my sister went from being productive and alive to a person who can speak and move but doesn't want to. The dr said it's the bipolar but i don't believe this and think it's her medication. Does anybody here know of anyone who is older with bipolar who is still functioning ok? 

She is the most beautiful sister in the world and deserves to love life.

Thanks if anyone has any info on older people with bipolar.

[tyme]

Oh hun @Jennywen ,

I'm sorry to hear you have had to witness how things have regressed for your sister. It sounds like she was a very caring and loveable person, but her health has affected things for her.

I'm sorry she is not willing to get support for her mental health and sleeps most of the day. Do you know things she likes that can re-kindle her youth?

[Jennywen]

Hi tyme, thanks for your reply. Our 2 loving brothers and I have bought things she might like and reminded her of things she used to like and do, but nothing 'wakes' up her emotions. She no longer listens to music, or phones friends, or makes plans, reply to texts, and seems to be foggy about herself and life itself. Only 2 years ago she was full of life but had a bad episode with mania and delirium and the hospital changed meds. She seems very emotionless now. I would go to dr appts with her and say how she's changed but she would say she's ok and they would believe her, not me. I hopefully will not give up trying to help her enjoy life but it is hard to be the only happy, talking one.

I hope when she goes into care they might be able to encourage her better than i can. 

[8ppleTree]

Hi @Jennywen 

Really sorry to hear that your sister has lost her zest for life. Bodies and minds can be quite complicated at times. Your sister is lucky to have you and your brothers 💜

I don't know how helpful it might be, but I do know of someone who was fainting, was quite mentally foggy and lay in bed much of the day and it turned out that they had a low/high blood pressure condition which contributed to fatigue, brain fog and loss of motivation. Once they had it stabilised with the right meds they were able to rebuild some muscle and get moving again. 

Hopefully you can all find some answers. It's not easy going through all the medication changes and tests. Do you know why your sister seems reluctant to make any changes? Is she able to see a difference in her life now compared to before? 

[tyme]

I @Jennywen ,

How are you going today? Thinking of you.

[Jennywen]

Hi@8appletree, thanks so much for your message and suggestion about blood pressure, and your kindness. I am seeing my sister at the hospital tomorrow and will ask the nurse what her bp has been like. 

My sister just doesn't have any insight into what has happened to her and when asked if she remembers when things started changing, she says 'I don't know'. I always hope and pray she can improve. It sounds like this isn't normal behaviour for an aged person with bipolar so maybe there is some hope.

[Jennywen]

Sorry @8ppleTree, i got your name wrong last message.  

[8ppleTree]

Hi @Jennywen 

Good luck for today 👍 I hope you are able to make some progress in supporting your sister with the nurses. It's not easy when the person you're supporting isn't aware of their condition.

I don't have personal experience with bi-polar and aging, but maybe some of the other members might be able to help you. I'll link some info here: 

https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/facts-and-guides/bipolar-disorder#forums

https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/facts-and-guides/bipolar-disorder 

The Mental Health Foundation Australia has a Bipolar support group for carers that you might find is beneficial for you: Bipolar Carers Support Group (mhfa.org.au)

Make sure to take care of yourself, too! 🌷