My father in law with Alzheimer’s is somewhat of an anomaly. He is physically healthy and quite strong but he is also combative with caregivers - not a good combination. His triggers are inconsistent and somewhat random also.
His memory care facility has sent him to a geriatric psychiatric facility numerous times only to receive him back and the combativeness continues.
Now Memory care is refusing to take him back this time. We are refusing discharge from the psychiatric facility but not sure what the next step is. Any advice is much appreciated.
Are you your Dad's PoA? Is anyone? If he doesn't have a PoA then this may be part of the problem -- there's no one really driving the bus.
As Alva says this may mean he appears over sedated, which is not desirable, but if that is what it takes to keep him from being combative, it is the solution. Sadly as we age our options becomes less, and often far from optimal, but at present it's all you have. Doctors don't perform miracles, but use the often imperfect tools available.
By all means refuse discharge and request that they keep trying medications, even if they overly sedate him. I am so sorry for all of you. Alz is a dreadful disease.
Clearly no medications or medication cocktails have been found to help him, so that they are going to have to keep trying.
Unfortunately in some cases people require such deep sedation that they are for all intents and purposes almost completely out of it. Which is a tragedy. The aim is to get some sedation to prevent agitation while still have an awake and at least somewhat cooperative person. And that just isn't going easily to happen.
You are between the devil and the deep blue, and I am so very sorry. I hope SOMETHING SOMEHOW can be found to help.