Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
M
marysunshine76 Asked January 2018

Do geriatric psych facilities make things better or worse for Alzheimer's patients?

After my mom's extreme sundowning activities overwhelmed by father (who is 77 and nine years into a Parkinson's diagnosis himself) we were finally forced to take her to ER, as she refuses any type of medical intervention at home. We've spent a horrible six days in the hospital, during which my mom was given Haldol (an extreme anti-psychotic) for an episode. Since then, her despondency, anger, etc. has now become an all-day thing. We're working with geriatric healthcare navigator/advocate and were able to get her moved to a geriatric psych facility in the area (not our first choice, but not the last choice either). Our hope is that they will stabilize her so that we can move her into a much higher-quality, pleasant memory care facility near our house. We worry that if she doesn't stabilize, she'll just get kicked out of whatever long-care solution we find. But, my brother just followed the ambulance to the facility and said it terrible. I'm concerned that it seems like this whole experience so far has made things worse, rather than better. Does anyone have experience with Alzheimer's patients in geriatric psych units with good or bad outcomes? I'd love to hear your suggestions and thoughts.

lizzywho61 Jan 2018
Mary,
I do agree with the above. The Unit was sterile. Sparse actually. But under the circumstances there probably doesn’t need to be a lot of decoration or things that could become problems.

There will probably be specific short visiting times. Not a lot of visitors allowed or at random times.

My Mom fell several times while in the Unit. She then went to rehab in a Nursing Home then became a resident of that Nursing Home.

The Nursing Home had a contract with a Psych Service that tweaked Mom’s meds a few times over the years.

If this is your first experience with Psych Services it can be scary at first.

I hope the facility and staff are good and they can get your loved one feeling better soon.

(((Hugs)))

jjariz Jan 2018
I have personal experience, both good and terrible. Usually, when someone is admitted to geri psych there is no other alternative and the patient receives drug changes daily in an attempt to find something that will reduce the agitation. When that drug combo is determined and the patient is "manageable" (and usually well drugged), the patient is discharged to a LTC facility.

At the LTC facility, they usually begin to reduce the high dosages administered at geri psych as much as possible over the next weeks/months, ensuring that the patient doesn't get agitated again. But sometimes the patient becomes unmanageable again and is readmitted. It can be a nightmare, but it can be a blessing when there are no other choices.

The best advice is to check out the doctor treating Mom. Her life is in his hands.
Blessings,
Jamie

ADVERTISEMENT


cwillie Jan 2018
If you are new to institutional care many facilities can be a shock - the sight, the sounds, the smells can be overwhelming. When first confronted with this we sometimes focus on the negative and miss the less obvious positives. This is a short term stay, although it would be nice you don't need staff to be warm and loving, just competent.

marysunshine76 Jan 2018
The facilities and environment are very sterile and unappealing and most especially that the staff interactions with my mother have been rough and callous already, while he’s actually there watching. We worry how they will treat her with no supervision, if they’re not even kind when being observed.

BarbBrooklyn Jan 2018
What does your brother report is terrible about the facility?

lizzywho61 Jan 2018
My Mom stayed in a Geriatric Psych Unit for 10 days. It did wonders for her.

But, it was a very nice unit in one of the floors of the hospital.

Locked down. Controlled Access. But pleasant and quiet.

Again, they did wonders getting Mom’s mood stabilized.

Good Luck (((Hugs)))

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter