Over the past month or so, he has numerous and constant physical complaints: burping (he swallows air to make himself burp), his sinuses bother him, his eyes are dry, his glasses don’t feel right, his dentures aren’t fitting right, and his stomach is bothering him.
He is is being treated for anxiety. He got new dentures last year and we’ve had him back to the dentist numerous times and his dentures fit perfectly.
He has brand new glasses because he complained about the old pair. His new glasses fit perfectly and they are the right prescription.
Physicians can’t find anything wrong with him. Phone calls are getting more frequent, where he insists on going to the emergency room. I’m constantly getting phone calls from him while I’m at work.
His physician said he’s entered another stage of Alzheimer’s. I just don’t know what to do anymore.
I appreciate any and all input.
I think you will need to set some firm boundaries with yourself.
You need to not answer the phone. If there is a problem the ALF will call you. Decide how often you will call him or stop in to visit. One or two times a week maybe. If that is too hard for you, then call him once a day for a week then every other day for a week and then every third day for a week until you get it where you can handle it. Call him at the same time so you set aside some time to relax with a cup of herbal tea and give him your attention for a few minutes.
You may need to take him to a geriatric psychiatrist to adjust his meds.
Thank you very much for your reply. I appreciate it very much.
I agree wholeheartedly that the phone should be taken away.
I apologize to everyone here — I was actually posting about my father-in-law, but he is like a father to me. His Alzheimer’s affects me as well as my husband. And it greatly affects our relationship.
It has been my thought for quite a while that the cell phone needs to go, and he can ask staff to make phone calls ‘that get a busy signal.’
I’ve been intimately involved with others who have Alzheimer’s, so this is nothing new to me, but it is much, much more personal.
I was hoping my husband would read my post, and he found it quite by accident while he was searching for help!
My husband is at his wits end with the constant phone calls. He and his sister have POA over my father-in-law.
He brought the subject up to his sister about disabling the phone, but she wasn’t open to the idea. She lives two hours away, so my husband gets all of the sundowning calls, morning, noon and afternoon calls.
Her thought is to to hire someone to keep him busy during the day so he’s not ruminating on things that make him anxious. I’m not so sure this will work, but given the circumstances, we have to give it a try.
Thank you again, JoAnn.
Vixtoria
Is it possible Dad needs a higher level of care or possibly a Med’s adjustment? Perhaps call a care meeting and share your concern.
I’m very sorry to hear of your struggles with your mother. It’s just heart wrenching.
I agree with you wholeheartedly.
Please see my reply to JoAnn.
Kindest Regards,
Vixtoria
You are amongst kindred folk here.
Be kind to yourself.
if that wouldn’t work, I would call sister every time FIL calls. Call her without fail every time. Each and every time.
failing that and maybe first of all instead of last, block FIL number.