In reply to @ljchr

I'm sorry if I offended you by my flippant post addressed to Karla; and I didn't mean to treat your question lightly. (I was just trying to add a little levity to life ambushed by the intrusion of dementia. Again, my sincere apologies.)

I'm also sorry that your husband is entering stage 6 of vascular dementia. I know how difficult it is because my husband is also in a stage of alzheimer, Lewy Body's, Parkinson's and vascular dementia that is causing insomnia, agitation and shadowing. No medication has helped because his condition is complicated to treat. (We have tried Remeron, Seroquel, Rexulti and Ativan.)

I give George CBD/THC drops and gummies during the day and at night. They help a little but not enough.
CAVEAT: You have to be careful about mixing CBD with prescription medications. The reaction varies from individual to individual. Before I started giving George CBD, I researched drug interactions, and read that mixing drugs or mixing drugs with CBD, especially in the case elderly patients, can lead to breathing issues, coma, and death. I also made a list of all of George's prescription medications and consulted with a geriatric psychiatrist AND an MD who was an international cannabis expert. They were worth the out-of-pocket expenses and very reassuring.

Our shared journey is daunting, but as Karla regularly reminds us, "[w]e're all in this together"; and with the collective support of this group, "we can do it." Thank you for inspiring us to be better caregivers by your sweet remark: " He is beginning to get agitated at times and so far I have been able to redirect him." (It's impossible for me to redirect George, so I come to forum to recenter myself.)

In closing, I would like to repost a message from teacher502 | @teacher502 | Mar 2 10:54am, quoting "1st Corinthians 13:7,8,13":

'Love
bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
ENDURES all things.
Love NEVER ENDS.
So now faith, hope and live abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. '

Love,
George's Wife

P.S. Sorry for any grammatical errors or typos. (I'm typing with one hand these days.)

This AI Overview I found might be of help to you:

"Manage Alzheimer's agitation by first identifying triggers. Before using medication, address underlying physical discomforts like pain or infections. If non-drug approaches are insufficient, FDA-approved pharmacological options include Brexpiprazole (Rexulti), an atypical antipsychotic, and Dextromethorphan-bupropion (Auvelity).

Alzheimer's Association
+4
1. Non-Pharmacological Interventions (First-Line)
Always try these behavioral and environmental strategies first to avoid the side effects of medications:

VJDementia
·VJDementia
+1
Identify triggers: Agitation is often a form of communication. Check for pain, hunger, thirst, fatigue, or a need to use the restroom.
Simplify the environment: Minimize background noise, harsh lighting, and clutter.
Establish routines: Keep to a consistent daily schedule for meals, waking, and sleeping to prevent "sundowning".
Use redirection: Offer familiar activities, comforting snacks, or soft, soothing music.

Alzheimer's Association
+4
2. FDA-Approved Medications
If agitation is severe, endangers the patient or others, and does not respond to environmental changes, a doctor may prescribe medication:

VJDementia
·VJDementia
+1
Brexpiprazole (Rexulti): The first atypical antipsychotic officially approved by the FDA for the treatment of agitation associated with Alzheimer's dementia.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (.gov)
+1
Dextromethorphan-bupropion (Auvelity): The first non-antipsychotic, non-psychotropic drug specifically approved to manage dementia-related agitation.

Alzheimer's Association
3. Off-Label Medications
Healthcare providers may also use certain medications off-label:

Consultant360
+1
Antidepressants: SSRIs (like citalopram or sertraline) are sometimes used if the agitation is accompanied by depression or anxiety.
Other Antipsychotics: Older off-label antipsychotics (such as risperidone or olanzapine) are sometimes prescribed, but they carry a Boxed Warning for increased risk of death in elderly dementia patients.

WebMD
+1
Read more about these behavioral strategies on the Alzheimer's Association or review the formal announcement for approved treatments via the FDA."