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He is starting to punch staff and wants to leave. I visit him every day for 2-3 hours and I am able to calm him down. The facility is pushing meds that have black box warnings. He is a cardio patient too. The trouble starts when he wants to go for a walk and they aren’t ready to take him for a walk. When I visit I take him for a long walk but he enjoys multiple walks throughout the day.

Quality of life matters. Is it a positive experience for him to be feeling such anger and agitation? I wouldn't worry about black boxes at age 86. Not that you should be cavalier or extreme about it, but work with the doctors on the most suitable medications to make his life safer and more pleasant for him as well as those around him.
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Are you his healthcare POA? This is a wicked evil disease and you're left making difficult decisions. Honestly, I don't think there's any medication out there without some black box warning, LOL. Forget about the black boxes and seek advice from his dementia care doctor. Is your primary concern your father's health risks or finding something that will curb his potential violent behavior toward others? It's tough.
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ElizabethAR37 Apr 3, 2025
Yeah, even aspirin has a black box warning today. IMO, in conjunction with our doctor(s), we have to choose what may be helpful and/or improve quality of life despite the risks. Personally, if I had the capacity to choose, I would opt to reduce violent behavior.
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You are going to have to let your dads doctor prescribe some medication to keep him more calm, and then continue taking him for long walks when you're with him.
Dementia sucks and there are no easy answers here, and you are only one person and can only do so much to help your dad. I'm sorry.
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