Questions about Atavan/nursing home care

[Leppert]

My mom is in a nursing home. It seems like she is being given lots of medication and the latest is Atavan (could be spelled "Ativan")1 mg two times a day. She is now almost comatose. She is drooling, eats next to nothing, can't control her bladder, and is generally a mess. She has been diagnosed as having Alz's but of course no one knows for sure about that. She definitely has some type of dementia. She went to the nursing home due to a fall and broken hip. She is just disenigrating before my eyes and I am afraid that if I do nothing she will be one of those poor souls who is in bed constantly. Does anyone know about this drug and it's side effects? She is also taking Exelon for her Alz's. Anyone have any insight on this type of situation???? Thanks!

[Franklin K. Casel]

Dear Leppert:
It is my feeling that your dad is unnecessarly snowed under with Ativan. All patients react differently to Alzheimer's and you need not be surprised that he seems so good at times. Help him to understand what the disease is doing to him and to accept the fact that he will increasingly need to depend on others. Have him give a POA to a most trusted caregiver and sign an advanced directive regarding his future care. Help him to feel loved and still important by keep distracting him from his distorted reality to good things in his past to which he can still relate. Develop a gengine love/trust relationship is essential. If you are successful he will not need Ativan or other medicine to control symptoms.
Keep faith and God bless.
Franklin

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franklin K. Cassel

[Mace]

Hi Leppert,
When my mother in law was injured the doctors told us Alzheimer's progresses much faster when the body is in pain. My MIL said the pain didn't bother her but she went down hill fast after being injured.

I took Ativan after surgery and it blanked me out. Can't remember anything while I was on it. Don't think it is a good drug for Alzheimer's.

Good Luck, God Bless, Mace

[This message has been edited by Mace (edited 03-27-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Mace (edited 03-28-2002).]

[skygirl]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, I know how hard it is on you.
I had a patient that was on Ativan when I started working with her, and I soon realized it was making her much worse. I called the doctor, and got her meds changed. Lots of people don't question the medication they're on, and boy, is that a mistake. I worked with this lady 4 1/2 years, and finally I found a drug that helped her sleep, and kept her calm during the day, without her appearing druged all the time. It was traodone, and all she took was 50mg.
Good luch and God Bless you, and Yours
Sky