Hi
Can anyone help?
My Nanna (aged 82) has been suffering with Dementia for a number of years. She lived at home until last October when she was moved into a care home as she was becoming increasingly confused etc.
She has 'good' and 'bad' days but more recently has been becoming agressive. I must admit that she is never agressive towards me, I have seen her become angry with others but never actully lash out although I am assured by the carers that she does.
Tonight I went to visit her - not been for a week or so as I have been ill - and there was a distinct change in her. She was twitching and shaking. I first noticed in her face - predominantly around her mouth - but as I sat with her noticed that her whole upper body was shaking and twitching. She was aware of the shakes/twitches and was concerned about this. She also told me that she felt dizzy and was scared to stand up in case she fell and was also scared of going to sleep in case she didn't wake up.
I mentioned to the duty nurse that she was shaking and he was very dismissive and informed me that she had been put on Haloperidol for her agression and the shakes/twitching could be a side effect of this. I asked him for more information and what the plan was - ie take her off it? and he (as usual) was loathed to enter into dialogue with me about it (head down, mumbled etc). I was obviously concerned and upset by what I had seen and wanted to understand why my Nanna was acting the way she was and why she had been put on a sedative to control her behaviour - as i say i never have a problem with her being agressive towards me and feel that a lot of her behaviour is down to lack of stimulation and one-to-one care - which is what she is paying for!!!!
I've had a look at side effects on the internet but not a lot of help really.
Can anyone set my mind at rest?
Thanks in advance
Karen
Can anyone help?
My Nanna (aged 82) has been suffering with Dementia for a number of years. She lived at home until last October when she was moved into a care home as she was becoming increasingly confused etc.
She has 'good' and 'bad' days but more recently has been becoming agressive. I must admit that she is never agressive towards me, I have seen her become angry with others but never actully lash out although I am assured by the carers that she does.
Tonight I went to visit her - not been for a week or so as I have been ill - and there was a distinct change in her. She was twitching and shaking. I first noticed in her face - predominantly around her mouth - but as I sat with her noticed that her whole upper body was shaking and twitching. She was aware of the shakes/twitches and was concerned about this. She also told me that she felt dizzy and was scared to stand up in case she fell and was also scared of going to sleep in case she didn't wake up.
I mentioned to the duty nurse that she was shaking and he was very dismissive and informed me that she had been put on Haloperidol for her agression and the shakes/twitching could be a side effect of this. I asked him for more information and what the plan was - ie take her off it? and he (as usual) was loathed to enter into dialogue with me about it (head down, mumbled etc). I was obviously concerned and upset by what I had seen and wanted to understand why my Nanna was acting the way she was and why she had been put on a sedative to control her behaviour - as i say i never have a problem with her being agressive towards me and feel that a lot of her behaviour is down to lack of stimulation and one-to-one care - which is what she is paying for!!!!
I've had a look at side effects on the internet but not a lot of help really.
Can anyone set my mind at rest?
Thanks in advance
Karen