Alzheimers and Violence

[sunnyfrog1960]

My Father-in-law has Alzheimers and was cared for by my mother-in-law until she passed away last November. We had to put him in a nursing home at the end of December. After just a few days there they sent him to a psych unit due to his violent behavior. He was given many drugs and after a few weeks they sent him back to the nursing home. After just a few weeks of being back the nursing home stated they couldn't care for him and we had to find another facility. We found an Alzheimers Care facility that assured us they could handle him. After 5 days there they also had to send him to a psych unit due to his violent behavior. We don't know where to go and the 2nd nursing home told us that taking him back home was not an option either. Can anyone tell us what we can do to keep him safe and happy?
Thanks,
Sunnyfrog1960

[SnowyLynne63]

Until,& when the meds.are adjusted to help hhim there's not much you can do unless you can talk to the Dr.& let him know there best be a way to get meds.right.......

[gizmolove]

I agree completely with Snowy. There are two major things involved with Alzheimer's care. One is medication, the other is the way you handle them or treat them as a person. You need to have both. A proper care attitude and proper medications. If either is lacking, then you are only asking for continued trouble. The key is to get a balance here, and get him more cooperative with his care and to make him more happy and give him a better quality of life. None of this will happen without proper care and medications.

I would think that a unit that specilises in the difficult care of Alzheimer's would know that. However, not all care facilities are created equal, and not all doctors either. You need to research and find both who are really specilists and reasonabily intelligent about both of his major care needs.

Sorry I can not be of much help. But, my mom who bite and kicked her physical therapist was much more cooperative when she was placed on the right drugs, and of course when her therapist was changed.

You have my sympathies, I've been there.
Giz

PS:On the practical side, be sure that you are at the nurses station every day asking questions. What meds is he on, how often, the dosage, and what is the drug for? Ask if they have spoken to the doctor about his problem behavior; is so. what was the directive, if not, why not? Question everything, if you do not notice an improvement in a few days, why? Can the drug be raised, lowered, substituted for another that works better.

I found that my role as daughter and advocate for my mother required me to take an active, even agressive role in the oversight of her care. I know that we are taught to behave, be quiet and trust the professionals. "Don't make waves". But sometimes it's only after the storm when we can enjoy the beautiful calm sunset and the open still blue sea. I have not only found that the "squeeky wheel gets the grease"; but that if your NOT willing to settle for less, often times you don't HAVE to.

Giz