Snooks
03-27-2004, 08:58 PM
My dad and I just placed my mother in assisted living in PA last week and within the week she attempted to cut her wrists. She is now in a psych hospital undergoing a week of testing. She is on aricept, memantine (new), seroquel, and clomipramine. She is totally unable to relate, thinks she's in her 20's, thinks there's two of me, two of my father. We are so distraught and don't know what to do, what to think. The AL home thinks she may come back and that with an adjustment in her meds may be able to adjust there. I want the best care for her and I am so concerned about the number of meds she's been on that have changed so many times. Does anyone have any advice, suggestions, resources for NE Pennsylvania. I am the only child in MA. My dad is 82 and alone now and amazingly strong with all of this. Thank you.
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BarbaraH
03-27-2004, 09:13 PM
Hi,
Bless your hearts - I know this is hard as my mother is in end stage Alzheimers.
Is there any chance that your mother gave herself her own meds while in the AL facility? If so, she could have overdosed or underdoesd herself totally by accident. My mother could not give herself her medicines because she lost the awareness of time early on in the decline.
In addition to the psych evaluation, she needs to have the blood levels of all her meds checked. A pharmacy consult about drug interaction and bad side effects might help, too.
Now is also the time to get all of the legal paperwork for Durable Power of Attorney for both your mother and your father in place. An elder care lawyer can help with that. My mother gave me power of attorney for her and had the legal forms done 10 years before I needed to step in to help her, pay her bills, etc. Having that ready ahead of time was incredibly helpful.
I, too, am an only child. You're not alone on this unwelcome road.
I wish you well - Barbara
Bless your hearts - I know this is hard as my mother is in end stage Alzheimers.
Is there any chance that your mother gave herself her own meds while in the AL facility? If so, she could have overdosed or underdoesd herself totally by accident. My mother could not give herself her medicines because she lost the awareness of time early on in the decline.
In addition to the psych evaluation, she needs to have the blood levels of all her meds checked. A pharmacy consult about drug interaction and bad side effects might help, too.
Now is also the time to get all of the legal paperwork for Durable Power of Attorney for both your mother and your father in place. An elder care lawyer can help with that. My mother gave me power of attorney for her and had the legal forms done 10 years before I needed to step in to help her, pay her bills, etc. Having that ready ahead of time was incredibly helpful.
I, too, am an only child. You're not alone on this unwelcome road.
I wish you well - Barbara
careercounselor
03-28-2004, 02:36 AM
Hi Snooks,
Depression with Alzheimer's disease is quite common, and the change to Assisted Living is very hard on loved ones.
Unfortunately, being on so medications is pretty common for Alzheimer's patients. My mom was also on multiple meds.
I agree with the other person, is she administering her own meds? Does the ALF have a nurse to administer meds? If not, you or Dad may have to visit daily to ensure her meds are taken, and to ensure she doesn't take too much.
If mom takes her own meds, does mom have one of those talking pill boxes? They have a new timed pill box that prevents overdosing that some insurance covers because it allows seniors to stay in the home but ensures they get their meds.
Sharon
Depression with Alzheimer's disease is quite common, and the change to Assisted Living is very hard on loved ones.
Unfortunately, being on so medications is pretty common for Alzheimer's patients. My mom was also on multiple meds.
I agree with the other person, is she administering her own meds? Does the ALF have a nurse to administer meds? If not, you or Dad may have to visit daily to ensure her meds are taken, and to ensure she doesn't take too much.
If mom takes her own meds, does mom have one of those talking pill boxes? They have a new timed pill box that prevents overdosing that some insurance covers because it allows seniors to stay in the home but ensures they get their meds.
Sharon
Snooks
03-28-2004, 09:43 AM
Sharon and Barbara - Thank you both for your replies. My mother broke her coffee mug in her room and tried to cut her wrists. Meds are carefully administered at the AL facility. Meds have been changed as of yesterday (at the psychiatric hospital) to increase seroquel, eliminate the OCD med, add an antidepressant, and take her off Namenda (which she just started a week ago). It's all pretty confusing and unfortunately I know little about meds. She is angry and hangs up on me, very confused, wants to die, just keeps saying it. Nurses say no change since she was admitted, that it may take 2 weeks before anti-depressant kicks in. I am so discouraged that the meds keep changing. Is there some way to know you have the right doctors? We have an attorney and dad has poa so I think we're set in that regard. Thank you again. What would I do without this board.
Snooks
03-28-2004, 08:20 PM
I have another question in relation to my mother's eval. Does anyone know what a psych assessment would include? I forgot to mention that I think the suggeston to get a pharmacy consult re drug interaction and bad side effects is a great suggestion. Thank you again.
injured betty
03-28-2004, 09:13 PM
You might want to check out the anti-depressants that they are/will be givng to her. I heard a newsbroadcast this past week that stated that there will be strong warnings on anti-depressants as one of the side effects is suicide.
Alzheimers is a tough one.
Maybe she thinks that she is a burden to you or maybe she realizes what she has and justs doesn't want to live anymore. How is her quality of life?
It has to be hard to be put in any type of assisted living situation. She has to miss your dad. It is frightening for her also, I would bet.
As for meds, be really careful what they prescribe. Is she clinically depressed or is that something that they just prescribe to all patients. Suicide attempts are not all attributed to clinical depression.
They had my grandmother on anti-depressants when she didn't need to be. they did it because they could and insurance paid for it.
Alzheimers is a tough one.
Maybe she thinks that she is a burden to you or maybe she realizes what she has and justs doesn't want to live anymore. How is her quality of life?
It has to be hard to be put in any type of assisted living situation. She has to miss your dad. It is frightening for her also, I would bet.
As for meds, be really careful what they prescribe. Is she clinically depressed or is that something that they just prescribe to all patients. Suicide attempts are not all attributed to clinical depression.
They had my grandmother on anti-depressants when she didn't need to be. they did it because they could and insurance paid for it.
BarbaraH
03-28-2004, 11:53 PM
Hi again,
Hope you are getting some answers. My mother is on an antidepressant, too, and it really helped her. At the time it was started, she was crying constantly and often said she wasn't unhappy but couldn't stop crying. Much to her delight, the medicine stopped the tears, but it did take a while to take effect.
Remember, this is not the same mother you've always known who is so unhappy and has cut her wrists. Alzheimer's has started to take her away and she could do or say things she would never normally do or say. I know how much it hurts you to see her this way. One night my mother fought me when I kept her from driving in the car at 11pm. She didn't believe it was night time. That night I sobbed because I wanted my mom back. It's hard.
Who has your Dad's POA? He could need help at some point and your mother can no longer do that for him. That needs to be taken care of now if it hasn't already been done.
Wishing your well. Barbara
Hope you are getting some answers. My mother is on an antidepressant, too, and it really helped her. At the time it was started, she was crying constantly and often said she wasn't unhappy but couldn't stop crying. Much to her delight, the medicine stopped the tears, but it did take a while to take effect.
Remember, this is not the same mother you've always known who is so unhappy and has cut her wrists. Alzheimer's has started to take her away and she could do or say things she would never normally do or say. I know how much it hurts you to see her this way. One night my mother fought me when I kept her from driving in the car at 11pm. She didn't believe it was night time. That night I sobbed because I wanted my mom back. It's hard.
Who has your Dad's POA? He could need help at some point and your mother can no longer do that for him. That needs to be taken care of now if it hasn't already been done.
Wishing your well. Barbara
TxHealthguy
04-12-2004, 12:16 PM
There is alot of research pointing to low levels of Nitrus oxide and Protein in our diets contributes to this problem.
http://www.alz.org/Research/Funded/2003/03USA_delaTorreIIRG.asp
Also, look at the findings documented at the UCLA central for nutrition
and there is a book you might want to read. The LA Shape diet by Dr. David Heber.
Cheers!
Mark
Notice in health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS
http://www.alz.org/Research/Funded/2003/03USA_delaTorreIIRG.asp
Also, look at the findings documented at the UCLA central for nutrition
and there is a book you might want to read. The LA Shape diet by Dr. David Heber.
Cheers!
Mark
Notice in health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS
SnowyLynne63
04-12-2004, 01:08 PM
Sometimes it takes getting them off all meds.then start over.My heart breaks for you.........
skylan
04-13-2004, 09:11 AM
Sorry to hear about your mother.
I use to work in health care. I had a patient on Aricept, and she became very agressive, and just plain mean. I called the doctor and he thought I was crazy for asking about it. My patient's husband said to take her off it anyway, and when we did she acted a lot better.
I hope things will soon be better.
I use to work in health care. I had a patient on Aricept, and she became very agressive, and just plain mean. I called the doctor and he thought I was crazy for asking about it. My patient's husband said to take her off it anyway, and when we did she acted a lot better.
I hope things will soon be better.