Family and friends have helped this woman at 85 retain her quality of life. All we have heard how horrible we are, and no one helps her. Yet, when she spends 3 weeks in a wonderful Assisted Living, she calls everyone today to say she is being held prisoner. Out of ideas. Anyone?
She maybe this way because she is in a strange environment. Something for anxiety wouldn't hurt. I would also allow her to allow staff to deal with any problems she has. Visit only for a little while. Calls should be infrequent. Allow staff to do what they are being paid to do. Bathe, dress, toileting, ect. All you need to do is visit and bring her things, like Depends, toiletries, that the facility does not provide.
I am not suggesting that she needs medication necessarily, but geri psychs are very good at figuring out what is "adjustment" and what is a lifelong personality issue related to depression, anxiety and/or paranoia, which sometimes CAN be ameliorated by meds.
And yes, combativeness is definitely part of dementia and Alzheimers.