We got her committed for 6 days in the geriatric psych ward at a hospital. They sent her home with meds that aren't doing anything but making her sleep. It does nothing to knock out those things in her brain or memory. She makes up new things each week about the man living downstairs, THERE IS NO DOWNSTAIRS. I can't get her to shut up about it.
She plays all nice and straight forward around Dr's and nurses, but she isn't fooling me. She has multiple personalities, bi-polar, dementia, paranoid schizophrenia and sundowners.
Do u think the Dr should be giving her meds for paranoid schizophrenia or dementia?
"She has multiple personalities, bi-polar, dementia, paranoid schizophrenia and sundowners".
Auditory or visual hallucination, changes in personality, mood swings - these can all come under the 'umbrella' of dementia.
Sadly, dementia is not curable. Sometimes medications work to subdue some symptoms but not always.
Just tell mom you will tell the man to knock it off and change the subject. She tells you about the man because she trusts you. Maybe ask her to keep notes, ask her to put the time and date and what is going on with the man. Then when you have enough evidence you will turn it over to the police. This might distract her a bit. My relative had notebooks of loopy cursive that no one else could read. When she starts in, just say, put it all in your notebook. The police will want to know about that.
All meds have side effects that could be more harmful to her. Maybe talk to the doctor about anti anxiety meds if the voices bother her. If you find it mostly bothers you that you can’t convince her that the man isn’t real, drop that. You will never convince her. Because she truly hears the man.
‘Oh and some meds will make a person sleepy. Keep notes of your own as to number of hours she sleeps, when she hears the voices, etc. it might help the doctor figure out what is going on and how to adjust her meds.
i am sorry for you and mom that you are both dealing with this. There is no perfect answer. Treat her with kindness and yourself as well..
You are in a very challenging situation. Please try to remember that no one wants to be mentally ill, no one asks to be. And then at 82, if dementia is also in the mix... not something she asked for or wanted either.
If it becomes overwhelming for you, consider calling in social services for your county to discuss options. They can acquire guardianship of your Mom and then they will take care of her going forward. Just a thought.
I wish you success in finding the right doctor and the best solutions for the both of you!
It sounds like a situation that is very difficult to treat. Just make sure that she gets as much support she can handle at this time.
I know this is a very challenging and frustrating situation to deal with.