My sister and I have been caring for my mother (who will be 84 in May) for 17 years. Her dementia and sundowners has gone from moderate to severe. Medicare wouldn't pay for memory care or assisted living & she was denied Medicaid. We can't afford to place her in a private facility so we kept her at home.
Lately we have had a couple of episodes where her agitation got loud and nasty. Waking us up at 4 am stating we stole her car keys. Had a fight where she wouldn't let go of the family cat despite the poor thing scratching her. I have a sister (not to mention a job) I have to protect.
I made a call to her doctor but don't know where to begin with calming her anxiety. Is there such a thing as fast-acting anti-anxiety medication? Is there a therapy we can try?
Any advice?
Theyll find a place to put her before transferring guardianship.
She needs to be tested for a UTI FIRST.
She needs a psychiatric exam and meds trialed.
You tell the SW at the hospital that she cannot return to your home. They will find a placement for her once she is stabilized.
You have already called the MD and that is the correct move on any hope of drugs or drug cocktails that may help, but that is extremely unlikely, and often leads to a whole other cartload of side effects of too drowsy, of depression from "downers", of falls, and etc.
Placement is sounding like the only option; you may need help in figuring out how to do it.