My mom is restless more and more. She walks around the house for hours. Mom has alzheimers. Lately she can't settle down. She walks around the house for hours. I can distract her briefly sometimes with a book or TV or a chore, but it only lasts for a few minutes. Right now it is 11 am and she's been walking around on and off for 4 hours. If today is like other days recently, she won't stop all day. Any ideas?
Mom is on depakote for the pacing/agitation and had her depression med increased. Actually, she's been on the depakote for 3 weeks with no changes, so it was increased last week. We read the drug sheets on everything she gets before she starts taking it. I'm going to give it another week and see how she is doing before calling the Dr back. It is so hard to tell what could be caused by a change in drugs and what is normal progression of the disease. She had NO changes in drugs when the pacing/agitation started, so I'm guessing that was the disease.
Now about the BP issue: here's a tip that may work when she complains about having her 'BP' taken. Let her take YOUR BP afterwards! My mother was MUCH more willing to tolerate the 'pain' if she was able to play 'nurse' with me after we took her BP! Sharing the experience may help her feel more in 'control' and part of the situation, instead of the 'patient'.
p.s. ask her doctor if taking her BP on her LEG would be ok. I know that the reading can be slightly higher than an 'arm reading' but it is less painful. There can be different readings, and if lower then it can indicate arterial blockage in the legs. SO if Mom is still fighting having her BP taken on her ARM, maybe leg readings will be less stressful.
I hope this helps, but please talk to her doctor first before changing any protocol. OH.. also if she is REALLY unwilling, pretend the 'doctor' just called and wanted to know her BP! That worked for me a few times too!
stany - I'm not sure what you meant to send with that link, but the drug that comes up on the page when I go to it is Viagra. I don't think that's what she needs. :-)
Her Dr has changed her meds and told us to give it 2 months. I hope they start to help soon. The last 4 days have been the worst ever. She says she's nervous and doesn't know what to do. Redirection, distraction, assurances that she is safe - nothing is working.
position,
I saw the video. Very helpful information. I left a message for him to call me also. He knows the Laws here in Florida, especially this county where we are at the moment, but I wonder if by chance he may know the laws of NYC. I'm also not looking to put my mom in a nursing home. If anyone out there knows the Laws in NYC in reference to Medicaid Please, I am begging let me know.
You have all been so nice. I'm kind of lost in this site to find answers or people, so if you don't get a response right away, don't think I don't care.
Love you all... Hugs to everyone, and lets hope we can all find help. God is good!!!!!!!
Thanks for responding, but I cannot do that as I get help myself as far as benefits go.. I am also sick myself.
Hugs to All
Thanks for your response. I have been searching and reading online and it said sometimes the caregiver goes first with all the stress. I don't think at this point and time it's wise to lose $70,000. Would my mother benefit from the sale, Yes. This in a Nursing home would last maybe 2 years. Yes, I know Medicaid is federal but maybe they might be able to help in some way. Also, I do have POA. This is something my Mother always wanted to leave us with (Me, Brother and Grandson). I am doing my best with her. I am stressed out, and could use help. I know there has to be a way without selling what she worked so hard for. My brother also invested into this property but was put only under her name. It's a lot of things involved in this situation.
I appreciate all responses!
Unfortunatly Medicaid is Federal. They know everything!
Please get power of attorney so you can sell her house and the money can be used for your mom. Also some senior homes will do this for you. They all have several programs, you just have to start calling. Believe me they will be helpful as this is their business. The biggest reason we invest in homes is so we have an investment for when we get old and need it. Use it for her and get your life back. Then attend to her on a much more even keel for you.
We went for a walk yesterday and after 10 min she was tired. She went home and rested for about 20 min and then started pacing again. sigh
Lets just pray it gets better for all of us caregivers.
Hugs to all
Ed - I haven't looked a lot on that site yet, but I will. The pacing does drive me nuts, but I could deal with it if she was content.
Until she moves from the stage of Alzheimer's/dementia she's in, you might not be able to stop her unless you tie her down. I'm sure all all that scurrying about is driving you bananas, so I suggest you go to www.alz.org and search under "stages of alzheimer's/dementia" for coping strategies -- or at least what to expect in the near future.
We're here to support one another, so keep us posted.
-- ED
my sister is 64 and dr said she is in early stage of dementia , she had few mini strokes last year , and i am so worried about her . we live thousands miles away from eachother .
she did ask me if i could take her home with me when ifher boyfreidn passes away . he s not doing good , im thinking uhhh i dont wanna take care of another elders , my dad is a handfull and hes 87 . oh lord what shall i do ??
p.s. This would also give you a few minutes to do someting for yourself.
She's been wandering the house for ~3 hours and is crying. It breaks my heart, but I don't know what to do. Anything I suggest she doesn't want to do.
I'm in the process of looking at ALFs. I know it can take a long time to get into one, esp since Mom is on Medicaid. I don't think we need it yet, maybe in a year or so. But I've been told that we need to figure out the issue with her restlessness or no place will even take her. I don't know what to do. Her caregiver that is here during the week (who is really good) has trouble when she gets like this too.
Any other ideas????
My daddy had Alzheimer's (died in 1988) and when he would say he wanted to "go home", they would put their coats on and go for a brief walk. When they came back in the house, they were "home".
Another reason for the wandering can be that there is too much clutter. I can tell when I have let things sit without putting them away because she's up and moving a lot. Right now we're getting ready for our youngest daughter's wedding and her wedding dress is in the living room hanging out. It is a little distressing to Mom but I just keep telling her it will be gone by the weekend and back to normal.
I really find that the more I keep her occupied (puzzles, solitaire, etc.) where I am actively doing something with her, the less she roams.
Good luck!
The person who said "have things set up Montessori style around the house so activities catch her eye and attention. Paint, brushes, and pictures or crafts are set out on the table and left out, they want easy, larger print short stories, older children's books are good, the EASY crossword puzzles", "take her outside to walk around and look at flowers /magazines she likes, clothes to fold, foods easily handled to snack on, or that are out and she can pour into a plastic bowl herself, etc. But really, physical activity is so important. Getting out of the house, does not have to be long, take a little walk and examine the flowers, just to do it and they get tired fast." Said it best.