Morning to everyone,
Can I ask about the use of sedatives and sleeping pills please? Mum's GP has prescribed low dose diazepam but only for use occasionally when Mum is having a difficult time with anxiety and lack of sleep. He gives Mum 7 tablets a month. He explained that they cannot give them on a regular basis because of the risk of falls etc and I understand completely.
However when I talk to Mums morning carers and to the district nurses who call, they tell me a different story. It seems some dementia sufferers take sedatives every day and they're used routinely in care homes when residents behaviour becomes disruptive.
I wonder if taking diazepam daily would benefit Mum? She's 92 and has mid-late stage mixed dementia but she suffers from terrible anxiety and violent hallucinations every day; some days she's too scared to get out of bed in the mornings and she screams loudly for 12 hours or more. Her eyes are wild with fear and it's dreadful to witness....I wonder if a mild sedative each day would help? I should add that Mum is being cared for 24/7 in her own home by my sister and I.
Thanks all!
Can I ask about the use of sedatives and sleeping pills please? Mum's GP has prescribed low dose diazepam but only for use occasionally when Mum is having a difficult time with anxiety and lack of sleep. He gives Mum 7 tablets a month. He explained that they cannot give them on a regular basis because of the risk of falls etc and I understand completely.
However when I talk to Mums morning carers and to the district nurses who call, they tell me a different story. It seems some dementia sufferers take sedatives every day and they're used routinely in care homes when residents behaviour becomes disruptive.
I wonder if taking diazepam daily would benefit Mum? She's 92 and has mid-late stage mixed dementia but she suffers from terrible anxiety and violent hallucinations every day; some days she's too scared to get out of bed in the mornings and she screams loudly for 12 hours or more. Her eyes are wild with fear and it's dreadful to witness....I wonder if a mild sedative each day would help? I should add that Mum is being cared for 24/7 in her own home by my sister and I.
Thanks all!
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