Connect
← Return to Placing a loved one in memory care and need help with the dialog
Discussion
Placing a loved one in memory care and need help with the dialog
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: 3 hours ago | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
My husband did not like his new place and kept trying to escape. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the facility had to call 911 because they could not redirect him and he pounded on the front door glass. Finally on Wednesday, he ended up in the hospital to readjust his medications in a regular hospital with psych consulting. They have to keep him in restraints because he tries to leave. It has been the worst experience of our lives.
I'm getting ready today, Friday morning, to go and see how his night went and hopefully see a calmer man. The only way so far to stop his agitation is Ativan or Haldol. I don't know how this is going to resolve at this point. It's been awful.
Replies to "My husband did not like his new place and kept trying to escape. On Monday, Tuesday,..."
@caseyharv My husband has Ativan prn, they don’t like to use it (I think something with state requirements re “chemical restraints”). But it does work.
Just a thought- is he in Memory Care? Is it a place with a resident-accessible enclosed outside patio? When he was ambulatory, my husband would walk and walk. Walking in the fresh air, without room/hallway distractions, seemed to ease the agitation. Clover began to grow in the grass beds, he got interested in finding four-leaf ones and would give them to people. One lady took her’s, went to the activity room and made a bookmark with it, then other people gave theirs to her and she made one for them too. It turned into a really surprising thing with all these folks with dementia 🙂
@caseyharv First let me just extend my heart to you. The day my husband was taken “out” I felt so helpless and upset.
My husband was just released from the psych unit back to Memory Care on Thursday. He also had to be in full restraints at first but then they were able to settle him. They also changed his meds. I knew this would happen eventually and in the end it was a good thing because they were able to observe him for the week under psychiatric care.
He went a week ago because he again attacked a nurse aid. He has been in memory care since April 6. He gets very agitated and can be aggressive. It has been a rough adjustment.
My husband has Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia which makes medications a challenge. Antipsychotics are contraindicated and only given in small doses with caution. NO HALDOL. In Lewy Body that can cause severe side effects and totally backfire but he did get Ativan ( the first day several IM injections to calm him after he attacked the whole unit)
After the first day the only needed Ativan as a rescue drug and he was able to get it by mouth.
He is now on a baby dose if Klonopin and Seroquil to manage his moods and aggression.
We will continue to have our ups and downs and yes, this is horrible.
It helped to know this is not unusual for the acclimation phase and I so want you to know I feel for you and with you.
I also learned that there is nothing I can do except take care of myself and advocate for him.
While he was in the hospital I went to Chicago to visit my daughter and family. His best friend is a psychiatrist at that hospital and visited while I was gone. That was helpful.
How are you? And how are you taking care of yourself right now?
And of course, how is your husband now? And what is the plan?
Connect
@caseyharv How awful. I'm so sorry. I'll be sending you prayers for a calmer, more peaceful husband.