Dusk-to-Dawn Therapy for Dementia’s Restless Minds - NYTimes.com

Dusk-to-Dawn Therapy for Dementia’s Restless Minds - NYTimes.com.

Comments

[Lynn]

Hi Claire,
I just read your post and my heart is broken for you. My mom is 87 and about 2 yrs ago she started having schizophrenic episodes along with dementia.It was horrible.I would jump off a cliff if I had to go thru that again. I would not wish that experience on any one ( except my 7 bros and sisters who NEVER come to visit or help with mom). She walked the floors 24/7,literally, cursing me,screaming,and yelling,she saw people and things that weren't there. She tried to run away, and all she talked about was killing someone. You name it and we experienced it.I finally got her to a Geriatric Psychiatric facility here in Georgia this past February. 5mg of Abilify daily is the only thing they added to her meds and it has done wonders. Before this we had tried Seroquil, Paxil, and several others that I can't remember right now, but none of them worked. I would sell my house for a bottle of Abilify !
I hope all goes well for you !

[CLAIRE]

MY MOTHER IS 86 AND ABOUT A STAGE 3-4 DEMENTIA/PARKEBSONS SUFFERER..MANY NIGHTS A WEEK SHE WILL NOT "SLEEP" (EVEN WITH THE AID OF RESTRIL OR AMBIEN...SHE WAS TWISTING HERSELF AROUND IN THE BED AND GETTING HERSELF THROUGH THE RAILS ON THE HOSPITAL BED, SO I ADDED THE BUMPER PADS( VELCRO ATTACHED BANDS) NOW SHE HAS SOMETHING ELSE TO "PLAY" WITH PULLING THE VELCRO STRAPS OFF THE BARS (ALL NIGHT LONG) I IMPLIMENTED A ONE PIECE BATHING SUIT TO KEEP HER FROM REMOVING HER "BRIEFS" AND PULLING ON A PIC TUBE (FEEDING TUBE) THAT I HAVE HAD TO GET REPLACED BECAUSE SHE HAS PULLED IT OUT. WE HAVE HOME HEALTH CARE OUT 3 DAYS A WEEK TO ASSIST ME WITH HER BATHING, AND TO CHECK HER VITALS & PROTECTION FOR ME SHOULD SOMEONE SAY SHE IS BEING ABUSED OR NEGLECTED AS THEY DOCUMENT EVERYTHING, EVERYTIME THEY COME. THEY ALSO GIVE ME PIECE OF MIND WITH BP CHECKS, AND LET ME KNOW I AM DOING OKAY WITH HER..THE ONLY THING I AM NOT ABLE TO DO IS GET SLEEP...I CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN I HAD A FULL AND GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP...OR A RELAXING DAY. I TRIED REGULAR SR DAY CARE BUT SHE DOESN'T MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AS IT TAKES 2 PEOPLE TO TAKE HER TO RESTROOM. I AM AT MY WITTS END..I HAVE REQUESTED CERTAIN MEDS TO HAVE AT HOME SHOULD I NEED THEM TO KEEP HER CALM (WHEN SHE WANTS TO SPIT FOOD OR DRINKS AT ME, WHEN SHE INSISTS ON GETTING OUT OF HER CHAIR (SHE IS WHEEL CHAIR BOUND ) AND I PUT HER IN A RECLINER FOR COMFORT (THE USE OF RESTRAINTS SUCH AS A SHEET OR COMPANION BELT ARE ILLEGAL TO USE. STATE OF FLORIDA SAYS IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO RESTRAIN PEOPLE. AND I'M JUST TRYING TO KEEP HER SAFE..(LET HER FALL, AND I WOULD BE CHARGED WITH NEGLEGENCE..) I CAN'T WIN FOR LOSING..AND I AM SLOWLY LOSING MY MIND. I COULD USE SOME HELP TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I CAN DO..

[Tuesday]

I just read this article on the New Old Age yesterday and really liked the idea, I've never really heard of a program like this before but think it's much needed, I know when my grandfather was suffering wit the disease the worry of my grandfather wandering off at night was beginning to take its toll on my grandmother. I really hope to see more programs like this popping up around the nation soon! If you're interested in more tips for caring for an Alzheimer's patient you might also want to take a look at this post.

http://home-care-phoenix.carebuzz.com/alzheimers-safety-tips/

Best,
Tuesday