clueless

zonk · 09-03-2007, 08:07 AM

mum went into NH in january, for the previous years after dad died prior my brother was the "carer" as he lived out the back in a semi detached unit.
I got some bad news the other week, Mum has been taken off aricept now as her dementia is too far advanced for it to be of any help.
They have started anti-psychotics (along with anti -anxiety meds)

so my brother rang me the other day to discuss financials...
me "I have some bad news"
"What?" says he
"they have taken mum off the aricept" says I
"Whats that??" says he. Me thinks ...HUH?????
ME

: its the drug used to slow down the progression of AD...you supervised her taking it for 2 years"
Him......oh.

Martha H · 09-03-2007, 08:17 AM

Do you think maybe he was NOT making sure she got her pill every day? If so, it sure is a good thing she is in a NH now. However, my Mom tried Aricept and also Namenda but nothing did any good. What a struggle this disease is. My neighbor's sister has Alzheimers, and her adult children want to get her into assisted living, but her husband says, "no, I can take care of her." But he doesn't! he does not help her to dress appropriately, make sure she eats well, etc. He says "she didn't want to" and that is it. She, the AD patient, makes all the decisions. We fear that he has it too!

It is true that Aricept stops working after awhile; in fact there is really nothing that can stop the progress of this deadly disease.

Sorry for all your hassles. Good luck!

Martha

zonk · 09-03-2007, 08:52 PM

Hi Martha,
No, I am pretty sure that he did care for her to the best of his capabilities.

I was a bit stunned that he didnt know what aricept is, considering our mum has mod-severe dementia and that my brother and I are all she has left to look out for her welfare.
The news that aricept has been ceased drives home the inevitibilty (sp) of the diseases` progression and it took me a little while to come to terms with it

I am not sure if the aricept helped slow mums progression or not, as I dont know how far she would have progressed without it.

I hope you have a safe trip to see your Mum
Regards,
Jo