She was on 21 for over a year.... nursing home switched to 28 last year and seems she is always close to or dehydrated and now for first time has a UTI.
Just wondering if the change to 28 could have anything to do with it.
Yes I’m sure you are right Russ. Three weeks without enough water is enough to make her ill. I would try to get it on her chart that she must drink 4oz (or whatever amount seems appropriate to you) each time she has her meds. That might be a pipe dream in this time of rushed staff but she really needs water and since she has these issues now, you might be able to get it on her chart. If you are allowed to speak to her you might ask her to drink it while you are on the phone with her. Hopefully things will be better soon for her and all of humanity.
I wouldn’t think so. My aunt takes the Namenda XR 28 and also generic aricept. She’s taken them in the combo form of Namzeric when it’s less expensive than the two sep drugs. It’s cheaper in the two sep forms this year. She’s taken them both for years. She has been borderline dehydrated once I think on her blood work. Has had one or two UTIs but at 93 I think she does very well with it considering her low fluid intake. She doesn’t drink enough water and her urine is foul but when I really push the water she does better. She used to drink three or four cups of decaf coffee a day but has stopped that so fluids are even less. Even though caffeine dehydrates I’ve considered going back to half caf just to get her drinking. She is eating more citrus fruit now so that’s helpful. It’s a struggle with elders to drink enough fluids. Anything you can think of that is mostly water is a good thing to bring her for a treat. I also bring Aunt the small bottles of water. I’ll say “Dr says I have to drink more water. Here you help me out. You drink this one and I’ll drink the other”. She will chug it right down. But if I’m not around I know she just drinks a few sips to take her pills. I hate buying the plastic bottles but in her case I think it’s worth it since she will drink those. Some elders will purposefully not drink water to keep from having to go to the bathroom. But no. I wouldn’t think it’s the Namenda.
Thanks... when I was able to be there for lunch and supper with mom ( before they locked down the long term care facility ) I could get her to drink similar to what you do. Now having to rely on the staff to do it , I think they just dont have the time... have to move on to the next resident. 3 weeks of me not being there she became dehydrated and a UTI. I dont believe in coincidences.
She has been borderline dehydrated once I think on her blood work. Has had one or two UTIs but at 93 I think she does very well with it considering her low fluid intake.
She doesn’t drink enough water and her urine is foul but when I really push the water she does better. She used to drink three or four cups of decaf coffee a day but has stopped that so fluids are even less. Even though caffeine dehydrates I’ve considered going back to half caf just to get her drinking. She is eating more citrus fruit now so that’s helpful. It’s a struggle with elders to drink enough fluids. Anything you can think of that is mostly water is a good thing to bring her for a treat. I also bring Aunt the small bottles of water. I’ll say
“Dr says I have to drink more water. Here you help me out. You drink this one and I’ll drink the other”. She will chug it right down. But if I’m not around I know she just drinks a few sips to take her pills. I hate buying the plastic bottles but in her case I think it’s worth it since she will drink those.
Some elders will purposefully not drink water to keep from having to go to the bathroom.
But no. I wouldn’t think it’s the Namenda.