My mom was admitted to the hospital for the geriatric psych for being combative & yelling, she’s also being treated for a UTI & infection in her legs from stasis dermatitis. The nursing home doc said their goal was to take her back if she could be stabilized & calmed down. However my mom is refusing meds in the hospital and screaming and being combative with the nurses and even ripped out her IV. She’s delusional and thinks she has a baby (that’s new). So they are trying to give her Ativan and anti psychosis meds but if she’s refusing how they can’t get them in her! I’m scared because if they can’t calm her the nursing home can’t take her back! What happens next? I am all she has and I don’t live in the same country! I’ve already taken a lot of time off work, and of course it’s causing some issues between my husband and I. I’m trying to do everything that needs to be done financially (Medicaid app) and be a advocate for her healthcare but I’m literally getting sick over worrying. Is there a place for combative dementia patients? Ones that also take Medicaid?
The fact that they are getting her to take Ativan is a positive. I am assuming then that she’s still being treated for the UTI. When they get the UTI cleared up they will be more able to see what they are dealing with.
Hope you get a little clarification or explanation from the Doctor.
Any news about your Mom?
Yes, I would consider no news, good news. I hope the nurses are keeping you in the loop when you call.
Being able to keep the IV in so that the UTI can be treated is definitely good news.
Enjoy the mental break.
To be honest no one has even called me from the hospital! I call and get to speak to the nurses and check up on her but no doctors, no social workers have spoken to me! Frustrating. I will admit though there are days i just need a mental break and am glad I haven’t gotten a call yet.
The urinary tract infection and infection in her leg will make mom feel like she is completely out of control. It may be necessary to sedate her until she has enough antibiotic treatment and hydration to resolve the infection. That is the only way intravenous treatment can be done without her pulling the lines out. As the infections resolves they will be able to ween her off of the sedating medications. There most be some things that she likes that can distract her. Is she catholic? If she has used a rosary this can calming. Does she like animals. Looking at pictures of animals, or petting a stuffed animal can be comforting. Music, aromas, going through a box of familiar things can be helpful. Talk to the discharge planner who is in charge of your mom's case and discuss options with her. Ativan can be helpful, however, in some sensitive cases, there is a rebound effect creating a cycle of anxiety.
You are doing everything that you can. The discharge planner which might be a social worker should help you with all your concerns.
You are good daughter.
CaregiverL, I couldn’t care for her on my best day! I give you credit. I’m trying for Medicaid with a lawyer and hope there is no penalty otherwise she’s screwed! So just another stresser on me besides where she will go if she doesn’t calm down! My emotions are all over the place.
Windy, I’m glad you’re back visiting. I was visiting mom but she’s so angry or so doped ya it was the most unproductive visit ever. For the first time I really missed my mom even though she’s right in front of me.
My mom was always a strong person and to see her down to this is hard. I’ve had my moments with her and she’s been difficult and we haven’t always had the best relationship but she’s still my mom.
(((Hugs)))
My Mom was in a Geriatric Psych Unit for 10 days. It was certainly scary for me at first. I know you are scared and worried. Try to relax. Do something you enjoy.
If the Unit can find anything your Mom likes, applesauce, ice cream, sherbert, etc, they will get the meds in her. Be patient. They will find the right combo and get her stabilized. It may take some time.
She is where she needs to be.
Has the NH led you to believe they won’t take her back?
We had one bad episode with Dad, swinging at staff while trying to find his car. He went to physc ward for a night, got on meds and calmed down.
The only thing that keeps me sane is knowing they are supervised and cared for. Sometimes that’s just all we can do. I still freak when I see the AL number pop up on my phone, a fall, dads on the loose, but nothing I could really do even if I was on site.
I hate to hear that you’re going through this. Hopefully they will find the right med combo for mom soon.
I'm not offering this idea as a solution to your mother's mental illness or dementia, or what her next housing will be. Just that it could possibly calm her down sometimes. Ask the staff there whether you might try this approach.
((hugs))
(((hugs)))
Sunny, she is in the states, she’s in New Jersey. I just hope I get some help placing her if need be, I’ve heard horrible stories of social workers who basically just handle people a list to call and say good luck! She’s only been in geriatric psych 3 or 4 days.
I will try to relax but life just never seems to let me do that