Finger pointing. Normal?

[ilovedogs7]

Hi

i posted on here a few months ago and the help I received was incredible. Thank you all.

My Nan has late stage PSP. She is unable to speak, she can’t really move, can just move her arms veeeery slowly and her legs ever so slightly.

Anyway, I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced finger pointing? It’s as if she is trying to communicate with us but nobody can quite understand. We communicate through hand squeezing (even that is becoming less frequent). It’s like she’s pointing to someone who isn’t there. Her finger often stays pointed even when she puts her arm down.

Every time I go, my heart breaks more. Seeing my beautiful Nana so vulnerable, helpless and just not Nana. I want to swap places with her (but the type of woman she is would absolutely refuse it, even for just a minute). I feel so awful saying this but I hate going, I love spending time with her but I hate seeing her like she is. I can’t actually remember what she was like before. All I can see is her now. Every time I close my eyes I see her. I feel broken but… this isn’t about me or anyone else. We have to do all we can to make her as comfortable as possible. Show her she’s loved because my goodness she is so loved. If the other family members feel as I do about her then she is most definitely loved.

[pmcdonough1]

Sending you blessings for peace and comfort during this difficult time. Keep saying you love her as she can likely hear you. Keep posting here as many have walked in your shoes and will have wisdom and empathy for you and your Nana.

[ilovedogs7 in reply to pmcdonough1]

Thank you 💔💛

[Kelmisty]

My mum can speak still just about, but will at times point her finger and kind of get stuck pointing over and over…. Then she will look confused and stop.

[Martina_MP]

My mother’s pointer finger is frequently in an extended position while the rest of her hand is closed, but she’s not actually pointing at anything. It’s just a posture. Other people have also reported a finger-pointing position. Just as her leg sometimes straightens out from her wheelchair and her foot points. When she had more mobility, she had alien hand syndrome. She has PSP/CBD.

[Dance1955]

Yes my poor husband used to point his finger he couldn’t talk that was his way of communicating it’s very sad to see I know but I was happy to think he was taking notice I didn’t really know what he wanted but to me he was communicating that he was in there somewhere and wanted to be involved

I miss him so much just go along with it if you can it must be awful for them hugs to you x

[David750]

Yes, my wife (PSP) pointed her finger near the end, when communications difficult. Thumbs up/down for yes/no at that time then hand squeezing. Very difficult for my wife and myself, but often resolved with a great many questions🙏

[CliDol]

Yes my dad does that and it's a postural thing rather than a communication thing. Started with neck extenuations, and his legs rise without him knowing when he's sitting in a chair. So sad to see, must be exhausting on their bodies. Keep going as best you can and much love to your nan.

[Senem]

My mother does that too and I think it is a postural thing. She can speak still and not pointing anywhere. Sending you blessings

[AvonJane]

When my mam falls asleep in the chair, she points her finger, but doesn’t do it when awake