Why does the nursing home change my mothers medication?

They have to? What? I assume they have a doctor's orders, right? Why would a doctor do that? It is a known fact that dementia is not going to be cured. It isn't as if she might have gotten well and doesn't need the pills anymore. Are you medical POA? Can you have a talk with the doctor? This just seems too weird.

jeannegibbs Thanx for your comment! and understanding my frustration.Well this is exactly what I mean. You can't fix the dementia, and so quality of life is all that's left to worry about. So I think Mom's stability should be a good enough sign of what is working to reach that goal. I once let them take her to rock bottom, then they were asking me how to deal with her, AFTER, I warned them about taking her off or reduceing that med. and why she was put on them in the first place. I see the signs long before they do because I know my Mother. I don't want them to over medicate so she's easier to deal with I just want Mom to be as happy and as normal as possable.
Yes I have all my bases covered as far as communication on Mom's behalf ...infact I'm am sick of the boommerang effect, I throw it out there it comes right back as if I am telling them for the first time. That is why I am asking this here. I don't get it!!! I know it may harm her in the long run but lets face it she's not living a perfect full life anyway. I know younger people who are overdosed on meds and living that way and really don't know or care about the harmful effects, when I think they are getting worse not better.

I don't have someone in an NH, and after listening to all the horror stories about medications at my support group, I know that if I ever do, I'm in for a challenge to my advocating skills.

There are no drugs developed for LBD, but several drugs developed for other purposes work very well. In other words, all of the LBD medications are used "off label." This seems to be a huge source of misunderstandings in NHs. One caregiver was extremely frustrated that they would not give his wife a drug ordered "as needed," because they insisted she did not have the symptoms that the drug was for. But she did have the symptoms the drug was prescribed for her use for and for which it had worked well at home. She did not have the "on label" symptoms, but the LBD symptom she did had responded well to that drug IF she would be given the dang drug!

Another NH wouldn't give the caregiver's mother a prescribed drug because "we don't use that here. It increases risk of falling."

omg Yes indeed. If my hubby ever goes to a NH I'm immediately going to take a very close interest in administration of his drugs. Not that I know I can be successful. It is extremely interesting hearing these things as a bystander. I can't imagine what you are feeling!

wuvsicecream, My advice is for you to speak with your mom's doctor asap, in person would be best. You definitely deserve an explaination about whats going on.

CrystalBtrfly thanx for your reply. I am always on a mission when it comes to Mom's care... up thier butts in fact. There are fatal side effects I am sure they are concerned about. I just want Mom to be as confortable and safe as possible.

I am dealing with this myself. My mother has dementia and is living in a NH. Recently she had a set back and they sent her to the hospital,senior behavorial wing, so that they could evaluate her and adjust her meds. After 15 days there she was brought back to the NH. The hospital told me that she was doing well and her meds were adjusted where they needed to be and that they should not be touched. Maybe after a couple months they may need to be tweaked but that is all. Not just because she has wandered in to another residents room. My mom has been back at the NH for about 3 weeks now and I received a phone call late last night from them. They told me they were changing her meds...again. I was furious. When I asked them why I was told that she had wandered into another residents room. I asked them if this was a one time event or was there a pattern of concern. No, just that night. I put my foot down and told them that she had just returned from the hospital and had been doing well and I didn't want her meds touched! I told them that she was an elderly patient with dementia and wandering was part of the disease. I also suggested to them that it sounded like maybe this was there way of "handling" my mom so they wouldn't have to be bothered. I also told them that they are suppose to call me before any decisions are made regarding her meds. I told the NH that everytime you "adjust" her meds she seems to have a set back, a yo-yo effect. Maybe if the NH were staffed a little better they could actually have more interaction with their dementia residents instead of relying on medication. I had the hospital send me a copy of all the medications that they have her on and I keep it close.

I am so sorry you are having this experience, here4her66. Your mother is truly blessed to have you as her advocate.