Just back from visiting Dad in hospital and pleased to report he's looking and sounding much better. Yes, I did say "sounding" better. The improvement in his speech (he hardly says a word now usually) is remarkable. His head is straighter (he's not so hunched forward) and he's the most alert he's been for ages, in fact since he came back from his last assessment in hospital in May 2006.
Just to clarify, the hospital where he had his assessment for the agggression was a Mental Health hospital, whereas at the moment he is in a Physical (for want of a better word?!) hospital because he collapsed on Sunday.
We saw a doctor today who was not only dishy, (just as Alex has been finding!), but also very friendly and informative. (Although, once again, we were asked if Dad had any mental health history and I found myself saying "he has Alzheimer's"!! ) Dad had about 5 different medications on the list sent from his Home, and he is only on two of these at the moment.
The main one that I'm pleased they are only going to administer as and when Dad needs it, (like it says in the notes), is Haloperidol (for his aggression). I have a feeling that he was being given this as a matter of course each day in his Home. I felt even happier when the doctor said they do not like to give medication for behavioural difficulties if it can be avoided. OOh! how I agree!
The other good thing is that Mum has seen this sudden change for the better in Dad herself, because she thought his decline was just the Alzheimer's progressing. Well, I wasn't sure either, but now I'm almost convinced the medication is the cause of (most of) Dad's rapid decline over the past 6 months. I haven't dared search the Internet about this drug before but, now I feel Mum's on my side, I have been looking and have not found many glowing recommendations!
What should I do now? Dad is meant to be in hospital for another couple of weeks, so we'll monitor the situation, but I guess an appointment with his Psychiatrist is the next step to discuss a possible change in his aggression medication? The other problem is going to be how to approach the Home to ask/suggest/tell them not to administer this unless it is really needed? I don't want to appear ungrateful or meddling, I realise it is they who have to deal with Dad on a daily basis and it can't easy getting the aggression under control, but it is heartbreaking to see him so drowsy on this medication all the time. What should I say/do - if anything?
P.S. I can't tell you how good it is to see him looking a little brighter.
Just to clarify, the hospital where he had his assessment for the agggression was a Mental Health hospital, whereas at the moment he is in a Physical (for want of a better word?!) hospital because he collapsed on Sunday.
We saw a doctor today who was not only dishy, (just as Alex has been finding!), but also very friendly and informative. (Although, once again, we were asked if Dad had any mental health history and I found myself saying "he has Alzheimer's"!! ) Dad had about 5 different medications on the list sent from his Home, and he is only on two of these at the moment.
The main one that I'm pleased they are only going to administer as and when Dad needs it, (like it says in the notes), is Haloperidol (for his aggression). I have a feeling that he was being given this as a matter of course each day in his Home. I felt even happier when the doctor said they do not like to give medication for behavioural difficulties if it can be avoided. OOh! how I agree!
The other good thing is that Mum has seen this sudden change for the better in Dad herself, because she thought his decline was just the Alzheimer's progressing. Well, I wasn't sure either, but now I'm almost convinced the medication is the cause of (most of) Dad's rapid decline over the past 6 months. I haven't dared search the Internet about this drug before but, now I feel Mum's on my side, I have been looking and have not found many glowing recommendations!
What should I do now? Dad is meant to be in hospital for another couple of weeks, so we'll monitor the situation, but I guess an appointment with his Psychiatrist is the next step to discuss a possible change in his aggression medication? The other problem is going to be how to approach the Home to ask/suggest/tell them not to administer this unless it is really needed? I don't want to appear ungrateful or meddling, I realise it is they who have to deal with Dad on a daily basis and it can't easy getting the aggression under control, but it is heartbreaking to see him so drowsy on this medication all the time. What should I say/do - if anything?
P.S. I can't tell you how good it is to see him looking a little brighter.