He is in a care center & he cannot stand or walk on his own. He is legally blind, very hard of hearing, & totally depending on care. He has been more agitated, so they called me to give permission for lorazepam (0.5 mg 3 times a day). When I received the consent forms, it stated a side effect was DEATH! I can't approve this! Has anyone dealt with this?
Along with agitation and anxiety, comes knots in the stomach and uncomfortable physical afflictions. Plus blind, deaf and immoble, he must feel nervous, fearful and vulnerable anyway. Please let them offer him some relief.
Hospice will keep dad comfortable, not try to "cure" him.
Olanzapine 2.5 mg COMMON BRAND(S): Zyprexa
WARNINGS:
There may be a slightly increased risk of serious, possibly fatal side effects (such as stroke, heart failure, fast/irregular heartbeat, pneumonia) when this medication is used by older adults with dementia. This medication is not approved for the treatment of dementia-related behavior problems. Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication, as well as other effective and possibly safer treatments for dementia-related behavior problems, with the doctor.
but the aids were having increasing amount of TROUBLE taking care of him. because of him fighting them off. he could not follow instructions, probably couldn't understand.
just pushing or slapping. leave me alone etc.
but you couldn't just let him sit day in and day out.
they needed to take care of him without a big fight (and my dad was still strong when you were bugging him. otherwise he was just weak/frail). I didn't expect them to have to deal with that. the AL director is the one who suggested getting an RX. I felt she had seen it all before and I trusted her. and my dads dr prescribed it. and I guess it helped. I don't regret it. my dad was just so far into ALZ.
Please, don't think with your heart. Your Dad is legally blind, almost deaf, can't walk and has Dementia. He has no quality of life. Do you want to add anxiety to that. Would it be so awful if he passed?
What is the alternative treatment? Has he even been on an anti anxiety med before, one that you know he tolerates well, like Xanax or Klonopin?
All meds have POSSIBLE side effects; with elders, it's often trying to figure out the "least worst" as opposed to the "best" treatment.
Has he been checked for a UTI? Those often cause increased anxiety and agitation in elders.