My dad has dementia. Just read that vitamin E could be a benefit. Does he need it from the doctor or can the nursing home give it to him at our request?
The nursing home I'm considering sending my Mom to is saying there are some supplements they can't give, even with the doctor's prescription. Is this correct? How do I determine if they are just wanted simplicity or think they can't give it, when perhaps they can? What regulatory body would be the decider on this?
Because of insurance regulations the nursing homer or assisted living won't administer any kind of medication, even over the counter meds, without a Dr's orders. Easy enough to take care of by contacting her physician and have him send the order to the facility.
Because vitamin E is not water soluble, excess can't be eliminated in urine, so it can reach toxic levels at the high doses used in the dementia study. The SNF will probably want a doctor's OK. The studies with vitamin E have only shown promise with patients who are in the mild stages of dementia. There was a good article in the New York Times New Old Age blog summarizing the study results. If you search for "Dementia" "vitamin e" and "Belluck" you should hit it. (Belluck is the author.)
The studies with vitamin E have only shown promise with patients who are in the mild stages of dementia. There was a good article in the New York Times New Old Age blog summarizing the study results. If you search for "Dementia" "vitamin e" and "Belluck" you should hit it. (Belluck is the author.)