Dad, 95 with Dementia is in AL Memory Care. 3 months now and he's been a pleasure they tell me. Until recently. He also has 70 to 90% blockage of the right carotid artery. Anyway, he walks around the facility constantly. No problems until recently. He screams at other patients who also walk. Lately he's put his fist up to another man's face. To me that is totally unacceptable. First time I saw him raise his voice, I told him that was being rude and we are not rude people! Now the AL is testing him for a UTI. They tell me that it's very common and will lead to aggression. I'm not sure if it's that or progression of Dementia. I am not against a mild tranquilizer if needed. Of course I'm hoping it's a UTI. His unit is small, only about 20 people and only he and 3 others walk unassisted. Anyone else encountered this with their loved one? Am I wrong to suggest medication?
I would imagine that his anxiety must be making him quite miserable. I would certainly discuss medication to help him. Not a sedative, but something to help with his mood. I'm not familiar with tranquilizers. I would be afraid they would create a fall risk and that's not good with a 95 year-old. There are meds that work differently in that they treat depression and/or anxiety without making them sleepy or dizzy.
My cousin is so much better since she went on Cymbalta. She is calm and content, without drowsiness. I would discuss the options with his doctor, if it turns out that it isn't an UTI. I'm sure others here have their experiences with this type of thing as well.
Regarding his use of the walker.....if he's not inclined to use it, then I'm not sure how successful the facility will be to convince him to use one. Short of constantly following him around and insisting, I'm not sure how that is done. I would be more inclined to consider some medication that would help him with anxiety. And not the kind that drugs you up, but some that makes you feel more content. Meds like Ativan, that are supposed to be for anxiety, never worked for my cousin. She was still anxious and nervous, plus she kept falling down.
I would also discuss your dad's agitation with the memory care staff. See if they can seat him in the dining room in a place that he's not as likely to become agitated. See if they can bath him at times that he is not as upset. They know him by now and should be able to help in avoiding some difficult situations in the meantime. Maybe, if the doctor can prescribe a med for him he will return to his peaceful self.
Make sure he's seen by a geriatric psychiatrist who can advise about meds. You are not doing meds for convenience, you're doing them because your father is in psychic pain.
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