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Have a relative that was very paranoid, forgetful, giving money to strangers, hearing voices and afraid to be alone because he thought people were out to get him his property and money also put numerous locks and security systems up. Was in a hospital for a month on treatment, pills and an injection for memory and hearing voices, for vascular dementia and psychosis. When he was released and came home but refused to take the medication prescribed and does seem better. He doesn't seem to have the paranoia and doesn't act like he is hearing voices and is staying in his home alone with no problems. What's happened to make him change? Could he be hiding what's really going on for fear of going into a home? I'm his guardian and conservator due to his behavior. he is very angry with me for putting him in the hospital for treatment and says nothing is wrong with him and thinks I am out to get his money. I'm baffled as to how someone could act as badly as he was and now seem fine.

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Medications can often help those suffering with certain types of dementia; is there any history of mental illness at all here, as well. Are you the POA for health care? If so are you aware of what the medications are?
Many medications for hallucinations and paranoia require a blood level before they begin to work well. Same for depression. Stopping these medications suddenly can have some dire results. And while the blood level of the drugs will work for a while without taking the drug, eventually the effect will wear off and it is likely back to square one.
And do understand that all dementias are a bit like a simon-says game in the beginning, going one or two steps forward and then one back. They have good days and bad days, especially in the beginning. Anxiety can often provoke bad episodes.
I am assuming this person was not visited by a sudden change that could have been stroke related? Because often stroke symptoms can leave within the first two weeks; strokes would be of sudden onset.
Good luck on your medical mystery tour. Update us if you find out anything.
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cfw945 Oct 2019
I'm the caregiver and conservator. He's refusing to take a couple of the meds, one is an injection and the other for dementia. The one he says he is taking is for his memory but I have my doubts.
He has vascular dementia. I guess that showed up in the cat scan he had.

Your information is very helpful. Thank you
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We just went through this with my dad who has dementia. He has good times and bad times but just spent 5 days in the hospital for paranoia and saying that people were outside his window telling him they were going to kill him. The hospital determined he had become dehydrated and that caused his bizarre behavior. So after 5 days in the hospital on IVs, he said he felt great and wanted to go home. The doctors said 'no' because they said the dehydration will happen again and that dementia patients often lose their sense of thirst. Possibly this may have been part of your relative's 'recovery'. He ultimately had to be moved to assisted living and is now drinking and eating much more with the help of a 24 hour beverage bar they have there. Doctors said he can no longer live on his own at home.
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cfw945 Oct 2019
I didn't realize people with dementia lost their sense of thirst. I don't think that has happened to him because he drinks a lot of water. But it's a good thing to keep an eye on.
Thank you
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I doubt seriously if he has “gotten better”. I think you’re right when you say he’s hiding it. He’s angry he was hospitalized and with his mental issues, he’s probably very paranoid that if he acts out again, he’ll have to go back to the hospital.

Just my opinion, but he probably should not be living alone. Is he being supervised by any agency or a social worker? If he is angry with you and accusing you of stealing from him, I would definitely limit my contact with him.
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cfw945 Oct 2019
I have to agree with you I think he's hiding it. I am the guardian and conservator for him. He actually doesn't want anything to do with me so I don't really have any contact directly with him. I do have a caregiver, a neighbor, and also someone else that helps him with things around his house and they keep me posted on his behavior. He is refusing to take some of the medicine he's supposed to be taking one is for memory, one of the others is to help to keep him from hearing voices. there is also an injection but he refuses to take it. he's been out of the hospital for a couple of months. says he is taking the medicine for memory but I have my doubts.
Thank you for your input.
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