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Deardau Asked December 2013

What should I do about my Alzheimer's Mom who has become agitated, aggressive, and resistant to care?

Mom has been in a nursing home- a memory care facility for 2 years. She had been very agitated before she went into the facility. She was helped by seroquil and trazadone. That worked until last month when she got sick. They had discontinued her aricept and nemenda around that time. Now she isn't eating well, seems really out of it- not really caring that I'm there when I visit. She has become aggressive with the staff, especially when they try to provide care. She even attacked her roommate last night! The dr has been messing around with ativan, vicodin (maybe she's in pain- she can't communicate) and has started her on keflex for a possible urinary infection. She won't cooperate for a urine test. I visited yesterday with my family- husband and adult sons- and she was so stoned on meds that she was unresponsive. Then we leave, she wakes up and attacks people! I'm at my wit's end. This is so not my sweet mother.

pamstegma Dec 2013
So happy for you!!!

ladee1 Dec 2013
Just what I was going to say Hadenough.....without you advocating for your mom, and having a Dr that listened, this would have had a very different ending.... thanks for updating... hugs

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hadenough Dec 2013
Yes thank you for the update. It shows how we really have to advocate for our loved ones in nursing homes. I think it is a combination of too much work and employee burn out. Your Mother is very lucky to have you as an advocate. God bless.

jeannegibbs Dec 2013
Wow! Thanks for that update.

Very often there IS a medication or combination of medications that can help. Unfortunately there isn't a litmus strip to hold against the patient's forehead that gives a readout of which drugs to use! I am glad her doctor was willing to try something different when the first attempts were unsuccessful.

Deardau Dec 2013
Update on my mom. I did talk to the doc and asked for her to be taken off all unnecessary meds. I had researched resperidol and that is what the doc suggested as new medication for her agitation and aggression. The doc told me they can get to the maximum dose within 24 hours. I visited the next day and I couldn't believe the difference! She was so glad to see me, smiling, accepting care from the staff, and she had just finished her second lunch! Great, since she hasn't been eating much of anything for a month. I really thought she was trying to check out. The staff is so impressed by the transformation, as am I and my family. This is such a relief!

pamstegma Dec 2013
It sounds like she is on the wrong combination of medications. I would have a serious sit-down with the MD and straighten things out, even if it requires hospitalization and bloodwork. Keflex is hard on the stomach. Vicodin can trigger the behaviors. There are better ways to treat her.

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