What should my expectations be for the behavioral health hospital to make changes? I mean if they are just going to continue to try and coax her into taking her meds, they can do that at the MC. We can't get the doctor to call us, we have left 4 messages on 4 different days. We realize she isn't "going to get better" but we would like to see her anxiety level out and the sadness to go away. Is that even possible? When they moved her she started pacing the halls and knocking on the doors to try and get out. I know any change is hard on alzheimers patients. We are just so frustrated.
You need the doctors bombed with messages here. This isn't normal that they will not respond to you. You need to know the plan here or to be part of the plan as to whether the option now is hospice, palliative, forcing medications, to other options.
This is something only you and the medical personnel can deal with, and they MUST. Go to the admins; go wherever you must and don't stop.
At my mother's private pay MC, there were no social workers on staff. At all. The RN together with moms PCP ought to be able to figure this out themselves. If not, then look into hospice if moms meds are life saving in nature, such as heart meds. Extending the life of an AD sufferer is cruel anyway, imo. My mom's meds were more for pain relief and depression than anything else.
Good luck.
I strongly suggest contacting hospice. There are different criteria for dementia patients. It doesn’t mean she is actively dying. As our hospice nurse said she is slowly strolling. Good luck. It’s a really awful thing to watch.
https://www.alz.org/
Be careful crushing or grinding pills, some are coated so they dissolve at the proper time or they are coated so as to mask a bad taste. Capsules usually should not be opened. And time-released should never be ground, crushed.
I have suggested that the small pills can be taken by mouth and the larger can be cut in half and swallowed.
I explain what each pill is and what it's for. She takes most pills now and usually from the same nurse.
I know that this is not your entire issue (my Mom doesn't have Alzheimers) but maybe some of my post may help you.
Best wishes
My socializing is breakfast and dinner in the dining room with 6 other women at the table, and happy hour on Fridays before dinner. I prefer not to socialize too much, led a busy life, going to college at night starting at age 38, and ending when I was in my early 60's. Led a busy life, was assigned all over the world from Europe to Asia, and traveled while working in those continents. Part of my job was traveling around the Pacific teaching classes, so I am well versed on different cultures. I just want to be left alone to do what I want. And I'm ready when God wants to take me, only wish it were soon. I'm not being morbid, I just lived my life and now want to let go. Does this sound crazy?
I will be retiring within the next year or so. I have had several people ask me what I plan to do after retirement. My answer is always the same - I plan on doing nothing after retirement. I am going to sit on my butt and take it easy for the first time in my life.
It is kind of funny how many people assume that after retirement you will just start some other job someplace else (even volunteer work).
It may be possible for her to return her to the MC or may not, but either way, she is obviously in need of relief from whatever now distorted thoughts have caused her behaviors to deteriorate.
I was quite surprised at the quality of the staff physician at the MC in which my most recent LO lived. If there is a staff physician at your mother’s residence, it sounds as though you couldn’t do any worse than transferring her care to that person. If you can, you will have contact with the supervising nursing staff, and the physician will have more frequent updates into her behaviors.
Neither she nor YOU deserve what’s happening now. You ALL are entitled to better.
I agree you should find another doctor if at all possible. I'm so sorry that your family is going through this. May you receive peace in your hearts.
Good luck.