Hi Tracey, thanks for asking. Yesterday, I didn't think she was doing well mentally; physically, a bit better. She's having those weird thoughts again. She told me that hoodlums were running around the halls at night and that people were coming into her room at night and talking about killing and murder and that shady stuff was going on. I verified with the nurse that she is still getting her anti-psychotic at night and she is, so not sure if she needs more or what. The night nurse (whom I really like) assured me that she had a restful night and none of what my mom is saying happened. So, not sure what to do. She just really wants to go home.
Jane, what kind of doctor does your mother see? Sometimes it is helpful to have her evaluated by a geriatric specialist ... sometimes certain meds can exacerbate "sundowners" confusion/dementia. Having one doctor evaluate all of that can be really helpful since otherwise you have the orthopedist prescribing a few things, the cardiologist a few other things, the internist a few others, etc. Ideally the facility and/or pharmacy is keeping an eye on interactions, but clinically they won't necessarily have the whole picture (from a clinical/medical/pharmaceutica l standpoint).
My mother-in-law had some of that going on ... and my grandfather had it too ... I remember seeing him when he was still in rehab (at age 95) and he insisted that "they" brought him to a room where they kept him all night in a cold room with no blanket and made him sit at a table and sign papers!!!
Also, make sure they keep her grounded in things that identify time ... like she should have a calendar in her room, and a clock. Institutions are difficult for those with confusion issues because it is never dark, there are always people up and around, sometimes curtains remain drawn during the day, etc, so day/night get mixed up. And all of those things can lead to more and more confusion.
Hugs!
__________________
Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
Jane, what kind of doctor does your mother see? Sometimes it is helpful to have her evaluated by a geriatric specialist ... sometimes certain meds can exacerbate "sundowners" confusion/dementia. Having one doctor evaluate all of that can be really helpful since otherwise you have the orthopedist prescribing a few things, the cardiologist a few other things, the internist a few others, etc. Ideally the facility and/or pharmacy is keeping an eye on interactions, but clinically they won't necessarily have the whole picture (from a clinical/medical/pharmaceutica l standpoint).
My mother-in-law had some of that going on ... and my grandfather had it too ... I remember seeing him when he was still in rehab (at age 95) and he insisted that "they" brought him to a room where they kept him all night in a cold room with no blanket and made him sit at a table and sign papers!!!
Also, make sure they keep her grounded in things that identify time ... like she should have a calendar in her room, and a clock. Institutions are difficult for those with confusion issues because it is never dark, there are always people up and around, sometimes curtains remain drawn during the day, etc, so day/night get mixed up. And all of those things can lead to more and more confusion.
Hugs!
Hi Julie! I did have her seen by a geriatric specialist who did an assessment (something I've wanted done for a long, long time). She pretty much confirmed that we are looking at Alzheimers. She approves of the meds she is taking at this time (only blood pressure med, an anti-depressant, an appetite enhancer, Tylenol for pain, and a very low dose anti-psychotic at night for the sundowners).
She said that, for now, this is fine. However, if we can get past this hurdle and she begins to improve, she want to see her again and assess her mental status. Her thoughts were that she would like to see my mom on Aricept for the Alzheimers and then get rid of the anti-depressant she is currently on and the appetite enhancer and replace it with another anti-depressant that works well with Aricept. But, she said that none of this can happen until she has recovered from this current trauma.
All of these findings from the geriatric specialist were noted and passed on to her internist, as well. This is a good thing, because her internist will not talk to me (HIPPA and all that), and my dad is pretty much like a deer caught in the headlights and I'm getting little to no help from him.
We've definintely tried to keep her grounded with a clock and a calendar, and we are always telling her what day it is and what time it is so she doesn't get confused.
So, a day at a time, and hopefully things will get better. Oh, and I've taken your advice to make friends with all of the nurses and I think it's working. I get a phone call from one of them almost once a day!
Sorry things are so hard with your mother. I'm glad you've found a geriatric specialist for her. Things may improve also as she settles into a routine at the nursing home. A lot of times change and an unfamiliar environment can make dementia/sundowner's worse initially. Another thing you might consider would be to bring in some familiar items from her home. Sometimes that helps. But if it just makes her homesick and frustrated with the nursing home then it wouldn't be a good idea. So in that regard it's six of one half a dozen of another.
Glad that things are at least under control with your mother. Nurses can make or break a hospital stay, so I'm glad to hear that you've connected well with them.
Jane - my H's practice includes a geriatric psychiatrist who is also a very good friend of ours. I don't know your mom's location or situation, but he goes to many nursing homes - if you want his info, just PM me or call me...
Glad to hear that things are moving forward with your mom's treatment. I don't even have an excuse for not foam rolling lately... Violet is the cutest excuse I've seen.
Well, I can now say that it's next to impossible to do planks with a puppy jumping all over your head and licking your face and neck all over. Wish I had a video of it.
Well, I can now say that it's next to impossible to do planks with a puppy jumping all over your head and licking your face and neck all over. Wish I had a video of it.
Oh, Jane! LOL. I can just imagine Violet with you doing planks!
When I had my old trainer come to the house I let Buddy in the basement with us one time. I was doing walking lunges down the long hall and he tackled me from behind! Now of course, he's a bit bigger than Violet! Thankfully, neither of us got hurt. It took him a while to settle down but now he always lays by me when I'm working out and he's good.
Oh, Jane! LOL. I can just imagine Violet with you doing planks!
When I had my old trainer come to the house I let Buddy in the basement with us one time. I was doing walking lunges down the long hall and he tackled me from behind! Now of course, he's a bit bigger than Violet! Thankfully, neither of us got hurt. It took him a while to settle down but now he always lays by me when I'm working out and he's good.
I hope I get to that place eventually with Violet! LOL! It was too funny last night. She was a wild woman!! She was crazed!
Next week, I am going to introduce her to doggy daycare to get her some much-needed socialization. Hopefully, this will help her with what's been a pretty stressful transition for her (with everything that's been going on!). Plus, I needed to get her comfortable somewhere (and me!) for when I do some travelling in March. And, I found what I think is the perfect place for her!!
LOL - glad my dogs aren't the only ones who consider my a toy once I hit the floor! I can't foam roll if they're in the same room - it just does NOT work!!! Even stretching is pretty much impossible...
Oly lifting tonight with the coach and I rocked it! Yeah me!
I didn't feel like going. Shitty weather. Sore back. But, I thought about those Biggest Loser people and I couldn't NOT go!
Anyway, we worked on cleans all night and I did so good! I made her proud!! I feel so good tonight. We watched some videos together first and we worked on my tough spots and she had a few tricks up her sleeve to get me past them and it worked. So glad I went tonight!
Then, I ended the night with pull-ups and I'm 90% there!!! ALMOST got one!!! Cute guy at the gym was watching and I think that gave me extra incentive to DO IT!
Oh yay on the cute guy Jane, lol. I do understand they can be motivating. My gym doesn't have cute guys though... unless Bri is visiting. And I'm not even just being corny, it's true, lol
Oly lifting tonight with the coach and I rocked it! Yeah me!
I didn't feel like going. Shitty weather. Sore back. But, I thought about those Biggest Loser people and I couldn't NOT go!
Anyway, we worked on cleans all night and I did so good! I made her proud!! I feel so good tonight. We watched some videos together first and we worked on my tough spots and she had a few tricks up her sleeve to get me past them and it worked. So glad I went tonight!
Then, I ended the night with pull-ups and I'm 90% there!!! ALMOST got one!!! Cute guy at the gym was watching and I think that gave me extra incentive to DO IT!
Everything in this post just rocks.
I'm so glad you are hitting some sweet spots.
__________________ Just because your mother thinks you're special doesn't mean I do
How old is she now?
! Thankfully, neither of us got hurt. It took him a while to settle down but now he always lays by me when I'm working out and he's good.
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