To Others Re: - severe agitation

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

It's good to hear from you. And encouraging that you are comfortable with your

dad's MD. As long as the MD and hospital staff ensure your dad is

infection-free; not suffering any new physical problems; on the proper meds, and

not on the " no-no meds, " then you can likely ascribe the fluctuations to

increased distress due to the hospitalization. Just observe if these seem

connected to what's going on in his environment. You and your mom do have the

right to be informed of staff observations, too. Hopefully the MD is taking time

to talk with you about your dad's situation.

We sometimes use a " white noise " machine for folks who are overly-stimulated

by external, distressing sounds. Even one of my friends who doesn't sleep well

has one to sleep with, because she is bothered by traffic sounds from outside. I

can't imagine the hospital would mind your bringing one in for your dad's room.

Please keep us posted. Your dad, your mom and you are in my prayers.

Lin

kansascitian83 wrote:

Hi Lin. I just found your reply. This board format is hard for me to

keep up with. LOL

Thanks for the reassurance. Interesting you kind of confirmed what my

mom already said. Dad is so sensitive to noise and loud outbursts.

There have been several disruptive patients there. It does bother dad

to have so much commotion vs. the calm and quiet of his house.

I have to keep the faith in his Psych. He goes slow and I really

think he understands LBD....well, as much as anyone can. We weren't

prepared for such drastic fluctuations in dad. We didn't experience

any of this during his last stay.

But, then his disease has advanced since then too.

> > > > >

> > > > > > I'm wondering if anyone can relate to this

> > > > > > experience. My Dad went

> > > > > > to an assisted living alzheimer unit for respite.

> > > > > > He has done this

> > > > > > before. Prior to this he had an hospitalization for

> > > > > > pneumonia and

> > > > > > rehab. He was only back at my sisters 1 1/2 wks

> > > > > > before respite. He

> > > > > > did well the first couple days. He then started

> > > > > > having agitation

> > > > > > directed at the staff. A lot of paranoia. We

> > > > > > visited daily and

> > > > > > could calm him and have a pleasant visit. The other

> > > > > > night he got

> > > > > > combative with them . Long story short police were

> > > > > > called. He

> > > > > > settled once we arrived. They wanted to ship him to

> > > > > > a psych

> > > > > > hospital, but agreed he could stay with a 24 hour

> > > > > > sitter. One day

> > > > > > later they took him to dining room with sitter. He

> > > > > > got agitated and

> > > > > > walked up steps threatening to slice sitters throat,

> > > > > > throwing chairs,

> > > > > > and a TV. Police called in again (he injured

> > > > > > officer). When I got

> > > > > > there he was on a

> > > > > > stretcher and restained and combative. I rode with

> > > > > > them to hospital

> > > > > > 1 1/2 hours away. He was combative the whole way

> > > > > > escaped from

> > > > > > restraints, we had to hold him down and he spit and

> > > > > > threatened us the

> > > > > > whole way. This is the first my father ever

> > > > > > responded negatively to

> > > > > > me. He has been agitated at the facility given

> > > > > > geodon IM. Seems to

> > > > > > calm, refusing to eat or drink, throwing objects,

> > > > > > refusing oral med.

> > > > > > The squad staff said they never had a 83 old as

> > > > > > strong and difficult

> > > > > > as him and I live in a major city. I would like to

> > > > > > hear from anyone

> > > > > > with a loved one with extreme agitation and their

> > > > > > experiences. What

> > > > > > do I have to look forward to? A month ago he was a

> > > > > > cooperative man,

> > > > > > going to adult daycare and would not hurt a fly. I

> > > > > > know he is

> > > > > > paranoid, delusional, & hallucinating. Thanks in

> > > > > > advance.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> >

>

______________________________________________________________________

> > > > ______________

> > > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and

> > > > > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

> > > > http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ------------------------------------

> > > >

> > > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I just wrote to you and about meds. I hope you will forgive me if I sound

pushy - I have no claims to be a clinician. Certainly if you feel your dad is

getting good care, I have no grounds on which to disagree. My personal

experiences with mom, the sharing I learn from here, and my professional

experience working with a clinical team on behalf of residents in the dementia

unit I'm involved in all lead me directly to question any meds that don't appear

on the " approved by LBD experts " list. And even all of those don't all work - or

can be hard on - some folks with LBD.

Of course you can wait in the parking lot for the doc. I continue to say he

has the obligation to talk with you as much as you wish. No physician has the

right to dodge family members. Good care is his job, and good care includes

addressing family concerns. job. Speaking from my professional perspective, I

would still suggest your insisting on a care conference (case plan meeting,

discharge planning meeeting) with all the players. See my messages from

yesterday for details. These are common place in hospitals. You can request this

from the MD, the social worker, the hospital administrator, the doctor in charge

of the unit your dad is on. Simply call or better yet walk into the office,

state your request, and ask bluntly what it will take to get your request met.

You could also ask for an ethics committee meeting. Hospitals are required to

have those too. Make waves. You have rights. Your dad has rights. His primary

right is to be treated well and in compliance with

recognized guidelines for his particular illnesses. Your right is to have all

your questions answered, and to be given the advice for future care that's in

compliance with recognized guidelines. Avoiding a discussion with concerned

family is not in the guidelines.

I'll keep your family in my prayers.

Lin

kansascitian83 wrote:

Lin,

Yes, you are right. We now have the nurses, social worker, and my

sister trying to get this man to understand we want to meet with him

prior to discharge. While he has spoken to my mom twice during the

hospitalization, there continue to be more questions.

The thing is, I truly believe this Geri Psych is more in tune with

LBD than dad's prior useless neurologist. He has really fine tuned

dad's meds. I don't expect miracles at this point. Dad's progression

continues to be very very rapid. My mom has lost her " fight " . She is

too tired to take this doctor on. My sister and I are trying to pick

up the slack. But, short of waiting for this doctor in the parking lot

(yes, we did consider this as an option) I am not sure what to do.

Dad will go to Long Term Care upon discharge. This will probably be a

difficult transition for him. But, at this point, dad doesn't seem to

remember where his " home " is.

I will check the list you referred to, but I still have faith that

dad has received good doctoring.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > I'm wondering if anyone can relate to this

> > > > > > > > experience. My Dad went

> > > > > > > > to an assisted living alzheimer unit for respite.

> > > > > > > > He has done this

> > > > > > > > before. Prior to this he had an hospitalization for

> > > > > > > > pneumonia and

> > > > > > > > rehab. He was only back at my sisters 1 1/2 wks

> > > > > > > > before respite. He

> > > > > > > > did well the first couple days. He then started

> > > > > > > > having agitation

> > > > > > > > directed at the staff. A lot of paranoia. We

> > > > > > > > visited daily and

> > > > > > > > could calm him and have a pleasant visit. The other

> > > > > > > > night he got

> > > > > > > > combative with them . Long story short police were

> > > > > > > > called. He

> > > > > > > > settled once we arrived. They wanted to ship him to

> > > > > > > > a psych

> > > > > > > > hospital, but agreed he could stay with a 24 hour

> > > > > > > > sitter. One day

> > > > > > > > later they took him to dining room with sitter. He

> > > > > > > > got agitated and

> > > > > > > > walked up steps threatening to slice sitters throat,

> > > > > > > > throwing chairs,

> > > > > > > > and a TV. Police called in again (he injured

> > > > > > > > officer). When I got

> > > > > > > > there he was on a

> > > > > > > > stretcher and restained and combative. I rode with

> > > > > > > > them to hospital

> > > > > > > > 1 1/2 hours away. He was combative the whole way

> > > > > > > > escaped from

> > > > > > > > restraints, we had to hold him down and he spit and

> > > > > > > > threatened us the

> > > > > > > > whole way. This is the first my father ever

> > > > > > > > responded negatively to

> > > > > > > > me. He has been agitated at the facility given

> > > > > > > > geodon IM. Seems to

> > > > > > > > calm, refusing to eat or drink, throwing objects,

> > > > > > > > refusing oral med.

> > > > > > > > The squad staff said they never had a 83 old as

> > > > > > > > strong and difficult

> > > > > > > > as him and I live in a major city. I would like to

> > > > > > > > hear from anyone

> > > > > > > > with a loved one with extreme agitation and their

> > > > > > > > experiences. What

> > > > > > > > do I have to look forward to? A month ago he was a

> > > > > > > > cooperative man,

> > > > > > > > going to adult daycare and would not hurt a fly. I

> > > > > > > > know he is

> > > > > > > > paranoid, delusional, & hallucinating. Thanks in

> > > > > > > > advance.

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

______________________________________________________________________

> > > > > > ______________

> > > > > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and

> > > > > > > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

> > > > > > http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > ------------------------------------

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

=== message truncated ===

---------------------------------

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total

Access, No Cost.

[Guest guest]

Lin, if this is your idea of being pushy, then I like it! Ha!

You got me all fired up, because I know what you are saying is right.

The doctor told the nursing supervisor he would call mom prior to

discharge. I think that is all we are going to get. We have made our

requests for a face to face meeting known to him. He knows what we

want and blatantly ignores us. I even called his office yesterday and

left a message. He wasn't like this when my dad was hospitalized

prior. He sat down with us and was so good to talk to my mom. I think

he is over burdened with his case load this time around. But, that

isn't my problem is it? I think short of showing up in the parking

lot, we truly won't get a meeting with this doctor.

It is very discouraging!!!

Thanks so much!

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > I'm wondering if anyone can relate to this

> > > > > > > > > experience. My Dad went

> > > > > > > > > to an assisted living alzheimer unit for respite.

> > > > > > > > > He has done this

> > > > > > > > > before. Prior to this he had an hospitalization for

> > > > > > > > > pneumonia and

> > > > > > > > > rehab. He was only back at my sisters 1 1/2 wks

> > > > > > > > > before respite. He

> > > > > > > > > did well the first couple days. He then started

> > > > > > > > > having agitation

> > > > > > > > > directed at the staff. A lot of paranoia. We

> > > > > > > > > visited daily and

> > > > > > > > > could calm him and have a pleasant visit. The other

> > > > > > > > > night he got

> > > > > > > > > combative with them . Long story short police were

> > > > > > > > > called. He

> > > > > > > > > settled once we arrived. They wanted to ship him to

> > > > > > > > > a psych

> > > > > > > > > hospital, but agreed he could stay with a 24 hour

> > > > > > > > > sitter. One day

> > > > > > > > > later they took him to dining room with sitter. He

> > > > > > > > > got agitated and

> > > > > > > > > walked up steps threatening to slice sitters throat,

> > > > > > > > > throwing chairs,

> > > > > > > > > and a TV. Police called in again (he injured

> > > > > > > > > officer). When I got

> > > > > > > > > there he was on a

> > > > > > > > > stretcher and restained and combative. I rode with

> > > > > > > > > them to hospital

> > > > > > > > > 1 1/2 hours away. He was combative the whole way

> > > > > > > > > escaped from

> > > > > > > > > restraints, we had to hold him down and he spit and

> > > > > > > > > threatened us the

> > > > > > > > > whole way. This is the first my father ever

> > > > > > > > > responded negatively to

> > > > > > > > > me. He has been agitated at the facility given

> > > > > > > > > geodon IM. Seems to

> > > > > > > > > calm, refusing to eat or drink, throwing objects,

> > > > > > > > > refusing oral med.

> > > > > > > > > The squad staff said they never had a 83 old as

> > > > > > > > > strong and difficult

> > > > > > > > > as him and I live in a major city. I would like to

> > > > > > > > > hear from anyone

> > > > > > > > > with a loved one with extreme agitation and their

> > > > > > > > > experiences. What

> > > > > > > > > do I have to look forward to? A month ago he was a

> > > > > > > > > cooperative man,

> > > > > > > > > going to adult daycare and would not hurt a fly. I

> > > > > > > > > know he is

> > > > > > > > > paranoid, delusional, & hallucinating. Thanks in

> > > > > > > > > advance.

> > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

______________________________________________________________________

> > > > > > > ______________

> > > > > > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and

> > > > > > > > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

> > > > > > >

http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > ------------------------------------

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

>

> === message truncated ===

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of

Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

>

>