I am so upset right now that I can hardly see straight. My mom is in a Skilled Nursing Facility. She is in early stages of dementia. When she first went into the SNF, she was confused and crying all the time. The facility doctor, put her on Celexa, Ativan and Depakote, along with Namenda XR. For the last three weeks, it has been like a miracle and my Mother is back to her old self again. I know with dementia that this will probably be short lived and we have just been thankful and blessed.
Well, I get a call tonight from the nurse, and she was just as upset as I now am, because the doctor made rounds and changed all of my mom’s meds. He took her off of everything but the Namenda XR and did not give any reason why. I have no doubt that she will go right back into the downward spiral that she was in just a few weeks ago.
Of course, I plan on calling and speaking with the Nurse Supervisor tomorrow morning. She was actually the one that suggested the cocktail of meds that mom was put on that has worked so well. Do any of you have any advice or have you had to deal with this type of thing? I just can’t understand when something is working so well, why you would change it. She was so looking forward to Mother’s Day and now I am afraid by then she will be back to confusion and crying all the time.
Definitely speak with the Nurse Supervisor, but if she doesn't have the authority to make immediate changes and/or can't get a reversal of the doctor's orders, go above her head to the Administrator.
You may have to go in person to demonstrate your concern and intent not to let this doctor change your mother's meds. I don't know if it's possible but you might try to get an agreement from the Administrator that this doctor won't be allowed to change meds unless there's an emergency or medical crisis.
We were so disgusted with one doctor that we demanded he not be allowed to treat my mother.
Good luck. I can feel your frustration!