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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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She lives in a personal care home already and she was diagnosed with this. All they want to do is keep her drugged with psych drugs. From what I have read, this only makes things worse. Any advice on how to handle?
DGinGA, I think you might find a particular publication about Lewy Body of interest. It is long and technical but in the middle is a chart of common symptoms and the drugs that might be useful for them, including suggested dosage.
The combination of drugs my husband was on was right FOR HIM. It is really critical to work with a doctor who is very familiar with LBD, or is willing to learn and work with you. I do not recommend these drugs for anyone else, and just list them as an example of what someone with LBD MIGHT be put on by a qualified doctor.
I am aware that seroquel is not recommended for older persons or persons with dementia. Obviously my husband's doctor is aware of that, too. But it was the one drug that reduced my husband's anxiety sufficiently so that he could sleep, and therefore so that I could keep him home with me. I know that many persons with LBD are prescribed this Antipsychotic. LBD is different from other kinds of dementia in several ways, and it is important to see a doctor who understands that.
In addition, here are the four drugs we were told to NEVER let my husband take: thorazine, mellaril, stelazine, haldol The lbda.org site has a page that can be printed out and taken to an emergency room, as that is where these drugs might most likely be given, and ER doctors aren't necessarily familiar with LBD.
I'm curious,Jeanne, which drugs was your husband on? Were they anti-psychotics, or simply anti-anxiety drugs to calm him. I know LBD can cause great anxiety in the person who has it.
williamstrac, you have gotten some good information from virtualhorizon. Another source of information is the Lewy Body Demetnia Association web site, lbda.org
One of the differences between LBD and some other forms of dementia is that often drugs are more effective in relieving symptoms. It is important to have the drugs monitored by someone who is very familiar with LBD. Is the neurologist who diagnosed your mother the one who is prescribing these drugs? Each individual reacts differently to drugs, and someone needs to monitor Mom closely. She should not be turned into a zombie! Any changes that could be side effects should be discussed with the doctor.
A drug could make things worse. That is why careful monitoring is needed. But in LBD a drug can make a dramatic difference for the better. Only one drug should be introduced at a time, at a low dose, and gradually increased until it reaches an effective level or until it is clear it isn't helping, and then it should be discontinued.
My husband's journey with LBD lasted almost ten years. He had an awesome specialist at the Mayo Clinic who made the journey as smooth as possible for us. From the very beginning my husband was on drugs for the dementia symptoms. It took more than a year to settle into the complete drug regimen, trying one at a time. The effort and care that took was very worthwhile.
An autopsy has confirmed that my husband did have severe LBD. Yet his quality of life remained reasonable, I am sure due in part to the success of the drug treatment.
My Dad was initially diagnosed with Alzheimer's four years ago but his neuro has subsequently said that it is probable that he has LBD. This is based on the fact of his early-onset hallucinations (basically his first symptom), obsessions, delusions, cognitive ups and downs, that all build up to terrible sundowning most evenings. His attention can't be redirected elsewhere once he gets started on something and he can go on for hours and hours, often wearing himself out pacing around the house.
Dad still lives at home with Mom, but it is wearing her down to the point that we're looking at facilities and will probably move him soon, much as we don't want to.
What meds is your Mom receiving? Many people with LBD can't handle certain antipsychotic drugs; some of these drugs CAN make their symptoms worse, sometimes irreversibly. Others can help them. The effects are different from person to person. Many health care folks don't know much, if anything, about Lewy Body Dementia and/or don't understand what it does to a person and how to care for them.
Are you the person who can authorize her meds and medical services? Does her neurologist who diagnosed the LBD still tend to her? Perhaps you need to sit with that person and discuss your Mom's care. Caregiving for a person with LBD is more high maintenance than for those with Alzheimer's (believe me!), and there comes a point where meds are very much needed, but they don't relieve all of the symptoms fully. I know you hate for your Mom to be so highly medicated, but you need to realize that SHE is stressed out by her own actions and activities. However much they're activities stress us, as caregivers, it must be 10 times worse for them. There have been times, when I've gotten my Dad to lay on his bed after he's worn himself out, that he physically clutches at his head with both hands, like he want's get get whatever is in there, out.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
The combination of drugs my husband was on was right FOR HIM. It is really critical to work with a doctor who is very familiar with LBD, or is willing to learn and work with you. I do not recommend these drugs for anyone else, and just list them as an example of what someone with LBD MIGHT be put on by a qualified doctor.
Donepezil (Aricept)
Carbidopa 25/Levodopa 100 CR (Sinemet)
Nuvigil
Bupropion XL (Wellbutrin)
Clonazapam (Klonopin)
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
I am aware that seroquel is not recommended for older persons or persons with dementia. Obviously my husband's doctor is aware of that, too. But it was the one drug that reduced my husband's anxiety sufficiently so that he could sleep, and therefore so that I could keep him home with me. I know that many persons with LBD are prescribed this Antipsychotic. LBD is different from other kinds of dementia in several ways, and it is important to see a doctor who understands that.
In addition, here are the four drugs we were told to NEVER let my husband take:
thorazine, mellaril, stelazine, haldol
The lbda.org site has a page that can be printed out and taken to an emergency room, as that is where these drugs might most likely be given, and ER doctors aren't necessarily familiar with LBD.
One of the differences between LBD and some other forms of dementia is that often drugs are more effective in relieving symptoms. It is important to have the drugs monitored by someone who is very familiar with LBD. Is the neurologist who diagnosed your mother the one who is prescribing these drugs? Each individual reacts differently to drugs, and someone needs to monitor Mom closely. She should not be turned into a zombie! Any changes that could be side effects should be discussed with the doctor.
A drug could make things worse. That is why careful monitoring is needed. But in LBD a drug can make a dramatic difference for the better. Only one drug should be introduced at a time, at a low dose, and gradually increased until it reaches an effective level or until it is clear it isn't helping, and then it should be discontinued.
My husband's journey with LBD lasted almost ten years. He had an awesome specialist at the Mayo Clinic who made the journey as smooth as possible for us. From the very beginning my husband was on drugs for the dementia symptoms. It took more than a year to settle into the complete drug regimen, trying one at a time. The effort and care that took was very worthwhile.
An autopsy has confirmed that my husband did have severe LBD. Yet his quality of life remained reasonable, I am sure due in part to the success of the drug treatment.
Dad still lives at home with Mom, but it is wearing her down to the point that we're looking at facilities and will probably move him soon, much as we don't want to.
What meds is your Mom receiving? Many people with LBD can't handle certain antipsychotic drugs; some of these drugs CAN make their symptoms worse, sometimes irreversibly. Others can help them. The effects are different from person to person. Many health care folks don't know much, if anything, about Lewy Body Dementia and/or don't understand what it does to a person and how to care for them.
Are you the person who can authorize her meds and medical services? Does her neurologist who diagnosed the LBD still tend to her? Perhaps you need to sit with that person and discuss your Mom's care. Caregiving for a person with LBD is more high maintenance than for those with Alzheimer's (believe me!), and there comes a point where meds are very much needed, but they don't relieve all of the symptoms fully. I know you hate for your Mom to be so highly medicated, but you need to realize that SHE is stressed out by her own actions and activities. However much they're activities stress us, as caregivers, it must be 10 times worse for them. There have been times, when I've gotten my Dad to lay on his bed after he's worn himself out, that he physically clutches at his head with both hands, like he want's get get whatever is in there, out.