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Hi All,


I have a mom who is 87 and suffers from cognitive impairment. She can do things such as dress and cook for herself, but has trouble recalling things or doing simple tasks that require remembering and performing 2 or 3 steps.


Anyway lately she has become more and more angry and abusive. I asked the doctor what could be done about this and she recommended some medication that would improve her mood and lower her anxiety.


The question I have is... do these help any? Will they turn my mom into a person who sleeps all day and can't do simple things for herself or will they just mellow her out?


Also if someone has a hellcat personality... how much improvement will such medication make? Will they turn into a person with a docile golden retriever like personality... or will they still be a hellcat? LOL.


Anyway... if anyone has experience with putting their parent or someone on such medication... I would love to hear your experiences as to whether it helped or not.


Thanks!



Cricket

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Yes, they can and are worth a try if you are finding caregiving and dealing with emotions that are over the top.

I wish my mother and MIL both took something for their various needs. Mother is kind of mean and dismissive (has suffered from sever depression for the last nearly 60 years) MIL has anxiety disorder that is beyond belief. She cannot talk to more than one person at a time--in fact, cannot have more than ONE person in her home at any given time. DH feels he has to visit her, and would drag me along so I could get all the 'mean' thrown at me. He'd sit there and let her bash me and never say a word, just glad it wasn't coming his way.

I quit seeing her, or talking to her, completely, about 5 months ago. I'm recovering from cancer and do not need the drama. DH won't go visit her w/o me and I refuse to go, period.

I know a lose dose of something would calm her down and help her not feel so angry all the time--but she'd never take anything.

I know many elders who are on something for depression/anxiety and most report that they are happier and feel better.

In elderly people, it can have different side effects, so watch for those, but a good geriatric doc can help tremendously.
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I have no first hand experience with those types of meds either but I have observed that while they can work to reduce problematic behaviours they will not necessarily eliminate them. I have also noticed that there may be an adjustment period with any new med where the side effects are more pronounced so give it time before you give up or adjust the dosage.
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Welcome Buckeyechick, signed name as Cricket. 😊
Both names are very cute!

Does Buckeyechick mean you are from Ohio?
My Dad was from Ohio, on a farm.
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Cricket welcome to the forum!

My experience with psych meds is limited to those that improve the depression, anxiety and agitation that often accompany depression.

For my mom, they brought her peace of mind and absence of terror that no other technique (including 24/7 in home care) was able to accomplish. She was in no way " doped up", and her personality remained intact.

Do you know what medication her doctor is proposing? Someone here probably has experience with that drug and can guide you.
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