Do dementia patients always get mean/lash out at times?

@pamstegman, In my hurry to ask this question - I mis-spoke. It is Mother's Psychiatrist not Psychologist that had the conversation with her Dr. and both agreed to put her on the anti anxiety regimen. It seems they think her to be having some "sundowners" type of behavior. I too have witnessed this when stopping in to just say hello to her in the afternoons. It is most distressing to watch her behavior and have her try to explain it to me. Fortunately, the AL she is in will put her in their ALZ unit before they would throw her out. We live in a very small rural area and they are more than willing to keep patients and do what needs to be done for their care and safety. (We are all neighbors here! The benefit of small town living!) I just feel like there is something to be done with or along side of the medication. Thank you! :-)

No, dementia patients do not always get mean and lash out. But your Mom is one who does. Doesn't matter how other patients are -- you need to find solutions for your mother. As appricot says, if you can find things that trigger your mother's episodes you and the staff may be able to avoid at least some of the outbursts. And as Pam says, drug therapy can help.

I wish you success.

I do not think so. In my husband’s case, either blood glucose is surged, blood pressure is spiked, pain and physical difficulty, (he thinks) someone does not seems to treat him with respect and dignity, or urgent needs of bathroom business. He one time was agitated when a new caregiver was with us. Later, I realized he did not like her talking down and felt she was ordering him Also, he did not feel good at that time, and was not able to explain to me what’s in his mind. Some people told me their LOs were mean when their blood glucose was very low. I am sure there must be some reasons, or even healthily people sometimes get grumpy with no apparent reason, I think... You might want to stop by some time without giving the facility any prior notice. I hope she is getting some comfort while she is living there.

Fooey on the psychologist, get a Psychiatrist who deals with Alzheimers. If you don't get her under control, the ALF will boot her out. That's no joke, they will force you to move her to a secure (expensive) facility. Anti-anxiety meds are short-lived, work for about 4 hrs. She needs something that lasts longer, like a once a day SSRI or SNRI that takes about two weeks to kick in.