My mother has dementia. She is becoming more confused and afraid and not engaging with others. She is withdrawn and prefers to stay in bed as much as her assisted living staff will allow.
Assisted Living staff does not make medication decisions. Attending physician does. Talk to the physician if you have concerns. They can change orders and AL will follow them.
I know that nurses in many nursing homes do not like it when a family member questions them about meds. My mother was put on medication as a chemical restraint and had horrible side affects. The nurses didn't want to acknowledge it so I wrote a nice letter to the doctor and he took her off the medication.
Typically, no. But, momsallie, as the POA you can request a medication review to verify if her meds are still needed and effective. You can call hospice to see if she is appropriate for their services, actual hospice or palliative care. You can also request a senior counselor to come in and evaluate her. It could be withdrawing is her way of dealing right now.
No, only the primary Doctor's script will be accepted by the Assisted Living med tech office to discontinue or add any medications.
I can understand that you feel maybe Mother is taking too many pills, so unless she is on Hospice, she needs to take whatever the doctor orders.
I always feel we over medicate our elders... a pill gives off side-effects, so another pill is given to counter-act that side effect but then gives the patient another side effect.... repeat.... rinse.
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I can understand that you feel maybe Mother is taking too many pills, so unless she is on Hospice, she needs to take whatever the doctor orders.
I always feel we over medicate our elders... a pill gives off side-effects, so another pill is given to counter-act that side effect but then gives the patient another side effect.... repeat.... rinse.