Dad's laboured breathing

[Angela1]

My lovely father has late stage dementia. He lives at home and my mum and I are his main carers. He has recently developed what I can only describe as difficulty breathing and is clearly in distress, though this it is not constant and he seems ok once he opens his mouth. It's like he forgets that he can breath this way. The nurses and doctor we have seen haven't been helpful or that bothered. Does anyone have any similar expeariences or suggestions?

[HHoyt]

My father had the same thing. My understanding was the body seems to forget to 'work'. Difficult to eat, walk and breathe. It could be that your father's body is just forgetting how to breath. I do not think there is anything that can be done for this. I would jsut keep an eye on him. He may need to be nudged when he gets this way - maybe this will remind his mind to breathe.

Hope this helps.
Heidi