My dad has been in a memory care unit since Jan. He was mid stage 6. Overnight it seems has become late stage 6 and has become violent. The memory care unit won't keep him unless a geriatric psych evaluation is performed and he is stable. He is in a medical hospital at the moment to keep him safe, but they have him restrained. We were told today that the psych hospital won't take him while in restraints. What should we do?
After having gone through this with two parents who both had very different journeys.. I am still amazed at how much work it was for me to manage their care. It seems that there is a so much education and outreach that needs to happen with families. I often felt so alone and overwhelmed with decisions. It was this site and several other Alzheimer's caregiver Facebook sites I turned to for support.
I think the hospital where he is at needs to come up with a good discharge plan, and that they'll need to consult with the psych hospital to do that.
Worrying about whether or not a parent will become too violent to stay in a facility---w/o realizing that nothing has been attempted to control the inappropriate behavior yet is a prime example of that.
I've learned (after MANY years) with Mother, that stuff just happens. And yes, it drives me crazy. But, hopefully I am slowly developing a thicker skin and more patience.
I have seen 911 called to take one woman out on a psych hold - her family had refused to use meds and her behavior escalated - she unfortunately returned a zombie and died a few weeks later
I don't believe in letting the professionals make the decisions unilaterally and I don't use the facility's doctor or psych - I take mom out to her own doctors so I'm better in control - the first antipsychotic didn't help and we had a trying few weeks last summer until we switched - she is more calm, more confused and now doesn't walk in part from the many falls she had there
Having a loved one in a facility is oftentimes as much work as having them at home - there are a few really good caring folks but they are so underpaid they have to work two jobs - imagine how tired they are
There's not a day that I'm not involved in some way with mom's care even if I don't see her
Dementia is a long tiring journey for everyone
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