Home » Senior Living » Nursing Homes » Questions » Should nursing homes give high doses of…

Should nursing homes give high doses of sleeping pills and tranquilizers to dementia patients, so they will stop screaming for a nurse?

Asked by Esther | Jan 29, 2010

My mother has dementia and cannot control the screaming. This usual happens when she is left alone. I hate seeing her so drugged. However, the nursing home said if she does not remain silent, she will have to leave. Can they do this? What recourse do I have, as her daughter?

Answers 1 to 4 of 4

Carol Bradley Bursack, Jan 29, 2010

Over the span of two decades author, columnist and speaker Carol Bradley Bursack cared for a neighbor and six elderly family members. Because of this experience, Bradley Bursack created a portable support group, the book “Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.” Her sites, www.mindingourelders.com and www.mindingoureldersblogs

This is so difficult for everyone. You mother can't control her screaming (this is not unusual). Drugs to calm her are really the only option and they often do make people too sleepy. Some homes will use more medication to control the screaming, and some will not for the reason you mentioned.

Perhaps there are different drugs they could try? You can see that it's difficult for the other residents to hear your mother screaming, yet you rightly don't want her over drugged. If there is a good answer for everyone here, I don't know what it is. But trying other meds may be useful.

Carol

(0)

Report this Post

Alohajosie

Give a Hug

Jan 30, 2010

Having cared for a mom with dementia for over 2 years now and a mother-in-law with pre-alzheimers, one medication that assisted the agitation of my mom in the beginning phase of her dementia is called "depakote". Her doctor prescribed this medication at a very low dosage so that she is able to control her agitation yet remain calm and not sleepy. This medication "depakote" is normally used for agitated patients with dementia. This drug has been a tremendous help with my mom's stability and functionality. Depakote in conjunction with "Namenda" (which slows down the progress of dementia/alzheimers), my mom's dementia has improved tremendously from the rapid deterioration of her memory.... You need to find a doctor who is truly an expert in this field of dementia & alzheimers....I hope this information may assist you...Good luck to you.....

Helpful Answer (1)

Report this Post

sanityLost

Give a Hug

Jan 29, 2010

Excellent answer. I finally got a Dr. to listen to what I was saying. Mom was in pain, was screaming, being combative and then depressed as well. They kept upping her morphine and adding many different anti-psychotics. I started to keep a log of exactly when she started these behaviors and when they were not effecting her. The Dr. listened and removed some meds and added a new one and my mom is back!!!! I don't know how long this new med will continue to give us the right response, but I am eating up every minute of having my mom back! Good luck!

Helpful Answer (0)

Report this Post

akn64

Give a Hug

Jan 29, 2010

Our nursing home forced my mother with dementia to an in-patient psychiatric hospital to get her medicine set at a level that would control her agitation and aggressiveness. Sadly, while in the hospital, she inhaled vomit and almost died. The medical trauma advanced her dementia and now she barely needs any medication because she's lost so much of her mental capacity. It's a sad story and I feel nursing homes have way too much power over their residents. Our hands were tied. She was either sent to a psychiatric hospital or she would have to leave the nursing home.

Helpful Answer (0)

Report this Post