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beawre Asked July 2019

When no medicine prescribed works; what did you do?

The neurologist prescribed so many different combinations of drug for my father who has dementia and nothing seems to work. He is still always very agitated and aggressive. He tries to leave the house by himself and we have to chase him around the house so he doesn't leave on his own. We are trying to keep him safe and calm, but nothing works. We have tried other methods to help him as well. We take him out a lot to places he loves to go. We try to do activities with him, but he is not interested and if he gets slightly interested the minute the activity is over he goes right back to being aggressive and agitated and we cannot control him. Has anyone else experienced this and what did you do? Thank you

anonymous912123 Jul 2019
I am not clinically trained, I can just share what two neurologists told me about my cousin. His dementia was diagnosed 5 years before he died, at the onset he refused to take the Aricept, thought he didn't need it. His ego interfered with his common sense. Fast forward 4 years later and me taking him to the neurologist's, both told me the same thing, no meds will help the dementia, he is too far gone, they did give him an anti-depressant which he did take. He spent his last two years in MC, he adjusted well. There is more to this story, like the time he escaped 1 day after he had major surgery, he walked right past the nurses station at 3am, guess who they called, me. We found him a few blocks down, he said he was looking for a cigarette. Geesh! After he was released, he way placed in MC!

cwillie Jul 2019
Perhaps a geriatric psychiatrist would be better able to help you. Some people have had their loved one spend a short time at a geriatric psychiatric facility in order to get their medications sorted out and get them stable enough to return to their former home.
beawre Jul 2019
That is a good idea. His meds really need to be adjusted. I think his doctor does not want to give him too much medication, but he has been on the same meds and doses for quit awhile, and it may not be strong enough anymore. I will discuss your idea with my Mom. Thanks

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beawre Jul 2019
My Mom does not want to put him in a home because it would be a financial burden on her and on me and my sister. I am hoping that the neurologist can come up with a solution just to keep him calm but not sedated. Thank you for your help. It is nice to find others with the same problems to talk to.

Ahmijoy Jul 2019
When my mother became combative and aggressive I began looking for a facility. I did not want to put her, my family or myself at risk of injury. Of course she didn’t want to go and blamed me constantly for it. But, I was at peace with myself because I knew I had done the right thing.

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