Mum, 90, diagnosed with vascular dementia 2013. Lived at home with Dad as carer reasonably successfully til September then fell, broke her hip spent 3 months in hospital. Discharged to a nursing home 2.5 weeks ago. She showed some evidence of aggression in hospital, had some mobility problems and dementia clearly had progressed. Still has ability to converse, joke and enjoy a simple pleasure cup of tea and a chocolate.
I had some reservations about the nursing home, many residents are immobile, uncommunicative or very noisy but there was no choice and it has some good points. After the first few days her behaviour seems to have deteriorated and I’ve now been advised that after repeated examples of verbal and physical aggression she has been prescribed Haloperidol. She is fine with me ( I have seen her every day) but clearly getting more distressed with those around her. I have asked if she can be in a quieter environment but she is very wobbly and they are not keen to leave her on her own in her room, and I understand this. After attempting to discuss things with the owner and manager today, specifically around the issue of not being informed about the move to medication I was advised that if I wanted to take her out and place her somewhere else I could. And maybe somewhere else would be better. Ideally she’d be better in a smaller quieter environment. But the ideal isn’t always available. I know the theory is ‘give it time’ but she’s had a difficult time in hospital and struggles with her reduced mobility and failing memory. So my jumbled thoughts are
Any experience of Haloperidol ?
Any experience of making the wrong decision about a care home and how did you deal with it.?
Once you’ve got examples of aggression is there any way back from that?
how do you find the most suitable place as I think agression would be less if the environment was calmer and she felt respected by staff ( most of whom are professional and fine but several are young and perhaps struggle with her.)
Oh, and no brothers or sisters to share the guilt with..
Thanks.
I had some reservations about the nursing home, many residents are immobile, uncommunicative or very noisy but there was no choice and it has some good points. After the first few days her behaviour seems to have deteriorated and I’ve now been advised that after repeated examples of verbal and physical aggression she has been prescribed Haloperidol. She is fine with me ( I have seen her every day) but clearly getting more distressed with those around her. I have asked if she can be in a quieter environment but she is very wobbly and they are not keen to leave her on her own in her room, and I understand this. After attempting to discuss things with the owner and manager today, specifically around the issue of not being informed about the move to medication I was advised that if I wanted to take her out and place her somewhere else I could. And maybe somewhere else would be better. Ideally she’d be better in a smaller quieter environment. But the ideal isn’t always available. I know the theory is ‘give it time’ but she’s had a difficult time in hospital and struggles with her reduced mobility and failing memory. So my jumbled thoughts are
Any experience of Haloperidol ?
Any experience of making the wrong decision about a care home and how did you deal with it.?
Once you’ve got examples of aggression is there any way back from that?
how do you find the most suitable place as I think agression would be less if the environment was calmer and she felt respected by staff ( most of whom are professional and fine but several are young and perhaps struggle with her.)
Oh, and no brothers or sisters to share the guilt with..
Thanks.