Mom seems to be refusing care at night - incontinence change of pull-ups - is biting, kicking and digging fingernails into the arms of the nurse or aide. Mom is 98 1/2 yrs old and has been in the nursing home for 2 1/2 years now and has experienced the death of a few of her friends. When certain aides approach her on her level, tell her their name and what they are there for she seems to respond better. Also when the weekend comes and people change and no activities she usually is not in a good mood and seems to sleep alot - her medication is Celexa but I have heard that this medication is not doing much for chronic depression according to our Alzheimers Organization here in Minneapolis. Is there anything else beside bhvr mod for some nurses and aides in their approach to mom that might help or a med that is known to help chronic depression? Mom also has Post Herpetic Neuralgia, macular degeneration.
Thank you
You are within your rights to call a Care Conference for Mom. Ask them if they think a nightly low-dose anti-anxiety Med might help.
The weekends used to drive us crazy during my mom’s care, but things are done much more nicely now, with many more familiar faces circulating on and off during weekends.
We used to complain as calmly and pleasantly as possible when someone did something truly bothersome during her weekend care.
Has Mom ever tried a very small dose of Melatonin at night?
Laurie