ASBO behaviour

[Helly68]

Excuse my slightly flippant title. I have been asked to attend a meeting at my mother's care home because her behaviour has taken a nosedive. She has started to bite members of staff, refuse and fight over personal care and I think there has been an incident where she pushed over another resident.

Obviously she doesn't know what she is doing and we are concerned that this may signal an underlying problem - pain, UTI etc. My questions are -

Has anyone else had a similar situation, and was it resolved by finding an underlying health problem? This is complicated by the fact that she cannot tell us what is wrong we have tried asking or getting her to indicate. If so, how was a diagnosis made? The GP is going to see her but I know this sort of thing is very tricky.

Hopefully it won't come to this, but if the home (dementia unit but no nursing) decide they cannot deal with this, are we, her family expected to find an alternative placement, or do social services? I think this should be social services, but know from experience that it can be very difficult to get their input.

Has anyone had issues with dental problems and dementia? She has a lot of old dodgy fillings and so toothache is possible but I am not sure how we would get her examined? She is highly unlikely to comply with instructions (to be fair she would be terrified).
Apologies for the rambling post. I am going through a very convoluted (and I am sure familiar to all of you) process with the council over CH fees and with this as well......just when you think you have a process under way......

 

[Sirena]

Is your mother self-funded? If so, you may struggle to get SS help. I know a few members have had help from a good SW in those circumstances, but others find they run for the hills, they are too busy dealing with their obligations to LA funded clients. If LA funded, yes SS should certainly get involved, as they will give you a list of CHs within their budget.

If you want help from a SW and none is forthcoming, another member just posted about the very useful help they had from an independent social worker.

In terms of her teeth, possibly sedation would be an option to get her examined and treated. I realise sedation is not a great option for those with dementia, but it comes down to the least worst option really. Can the care home manager give any advice about this, I would have thought it's been an issue for residents in the past?

 

[anxious annie]

Hi Helly68
Sorry to hear about all your problem with your mum and the care home. I don't have experience of that , but I have heard that UTIs can cause changes in behaviour so , as you think, it could be that. I expect others will reply soon with more suggestions.
RE the dentist I have just posted on Jackies thread about "broken tooth ...." to say that I have taken mum for a tooth extraction today and all went well. Mum is very compliant really, so this wasn't a problem, but I have recently changed her visits and she is now registered with a local "community dentist". They specialise in dealing with both children, and those with Special Needs ( dementia included) , and I must say they were so lovely and patient with her. Possibly that approach would suit your mum.

 

[Helly68]

Thanks Sirena, she has just moved to being council funded, so that may mean more SS support is forthcoming. or not.
Thank your for the link, I will have a look. I think the CH manager may be able to advise, but any health or medical problem, and we are referred to GP etc - I think the CH staff can't really advise, though I agree they must have had similar issues in the past.

 

[Helly68]

Hi Helly68
Sorry to hear about all your problem with your mum and the care home. I don't have experience of that , but I have heard that UTIs can cause changes in behaviour so , as you think, it could be that. I expect others will reply soon with more suggestions.
RE the dentist I have just posted on Jackies thread about "broken tooth ...." to say that I have taken mum for a tooth extraction today and all went well. Mum is very compliant really, so this wasn't a problem, but I have recently changed her visits and she is now registered with a local "community dentist". They specialise in dealing with both children, and those with Special Needs ( dementia included) , and I must say they were so lovely and patient with her. Possibly that approach would suit your mum.

Thank you Annie, it is good to know that the community dental team were helpful. Sadly, I doubt Mummy would be compliant but our first task is to see if we can find out what is wrong. Good to know that service exists should we need it

 

[Helly68]

Saw the GP today, and it looks as though Mummy has a UTI. Not good in itslef, but may explain some things. Having a meeting with the home today about things so we will see how that goes...

 

[Dosey]

Sorry to hear all your worries Helly68, hope you get some answers soon.
My OH is in a CH , they have a community denied who visits the CH and does regular check ups on all the residents.
It is a LA funded unit. They also have a CPN who visits regularly too.
Maybe your mums CH may have this too, if needed.
Rose x

 

[Helly68]

Thank you Rose. My Mum's place has a visiting GP, Community Matron and Psychiatric OT. They have been pretty good so far, but diagnosis with dementia (and other existing mh conditions) is not easy.

 

[Sirena]

The UTI is good news really, because once that is treated her behaviour should improve considerably. As you say it isn't always easy to find what is wrong, but UTIs are fairly common so I think it tends to be top of the GP's mind. My mother has had a couple since she's been in her CH but they have been easy to treat.