Good question, as I led Mac to the bathroom, and sort of wandered away, thinking he'll just wash his hands, but then decided oh, better give him the soap...(he often just rinses his hands -no soap) and there he was preparing to wash his hands in the toilet...yuck!! ..Well got through that little mistake.and realized just how deceiving his looks and questions are. So many people just assume his problem is bad legs, slow walking, but otherwise, what's his problem..Even in this building where so many have alzheimers and walk with the shuffle, I'm asked - just what is the problem with your husband, he looks so healthy. What a tan, what lively blue eyes...etc etc...that's so true, it even has me thinking that, especially when he jokes - and sometimes they are so on target and funny..
Anyway, the main reason I'm on here is that i got the article - headline Seniors are being drugged needlessly....by Nicole F. Bernier, research director of the Faces of Aging program at the Institute for Research on public Policy in Montreal...lorazepam and amitripyline are the two drugs she mentions that can increase the risk of death when inappropriately prescribed - apparently for some institutes it's a cost -effective way to manage unruly residents. - she says more and different solutions are needed - behavioral interventions and improved management of dementia can significantly reduce the need for antipsychotic medication....
So far, we are managing and for the two times Mac has had the drug..it's turned out when i checked again that it is not the same drug, but definitely it is a antipsychotic drug - according to the pharmacist and the doc..the amount given is appropriate and that side effects were for not more than one day. In any case, I'm keeping my eye on the dosage and the drug...Our residence I must say seems to manage the wanderer....the ones in wheelchairs....the bitchy ones...very well...the staff are helpful, and most times on-target...and they are free to go around the main floor, they wear a bracelet that buzzes like crazy if they get outside without accompaniment...so it's mainly the ones on the 2nd floor who are really locked down-i guess they can get anci..but they do have programs at least that are good...the music therapy on Fridays ...the animal therapy..cats and dogs come to visit...yoga on Tuesdays. exercise on Thursday...but these programs are o nly for one hour a day....
Mac has far more stimulation with me, we are out every day, and music of his choice is on when we are in...we do or i should say I do crosswords and he occasionally gives a word here and there...but he is not left to sit and veg all day...he enjoys walks in the residence and waves gaily at the other residents, and acts like he is king of the hill...So I'll try to relax about the article...as his main problems are with getting a shower, getting dressed,/undressed, and although he has a tantrum and swears it's the last time he will have a preposee, so far so good...and i will try to get some more ideas for intervention when we are in the house. i.e. rainy days, right now..it's time for him to dry dishes...so g'nite..
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