Are there certain pills that are only available for 'commercial' use? The reason I ask is when I go to a nursing home all the patients seem to be very docile, happy and quietly looking into space, not like my wife with ALZ, who I am caring for at home, who is violent, combative and/or crying, Her Doc has her on Seroquel XR 50mg one at bedtime and Lorazepam 1mg as needed up to 3 per day. Does anyone know of any other drugs that might work better or are stronger, more for 'commercial' heavy-duty use?
If your wife is as unaware as you describe it really does not matter where you take her but a direct admission will be easier and quicker for you both.
Have you discussed with her Dr the possibility of changing some medications she is already taking so the changeover can be done at home. Be aware that more medication, although they may control troubling behavior will also possibly make her very sedated.
Do you have or have you considered getting hospice involved?
As you have been dealing with this you must be completely exhausted so maybe at least a few days in the hospital would give you a much needed break and allow you to prepare for what lies ahead.
This is such a heart wrenching situation but be comforted that many people here will be praying for you both and wishing you peace.
Before you do that and subject her to the chaos of the ER talk to her PCP and see if he/she can arrange a direct admission which will be a much calmer experience for her.Whatever you do the admission will be distressing for her and her behavior may be very agitated because of the strangeness of everything.
I have read about everything about ALZ but I never saw anything about geriatric psych wards. Our local hospital has one so when my wife starts acting up and becoming violent I will take her, however she is dressed, to the ER and have them evaluate her. They said they can determine the meds and timing she needs to stabalize her. I hate it when she crys. I feel so sorry for her and she can't speak anymore. Thanks again Angelkw!
Individuals have choices as to where we buy our medicines. After a lot of research on safety of meds, I chose a pharmacy that will always tell me the source of the med and whether it's made in an industrialized, post industrialized or emerging market country. I avoid the latter.
At a nursing home, you don't have a choice of manufacturers for meds. There's no guarantee that some haven't come from emerging markets and perhaps are of lesser quality.
Angel