Can you recommend a website for answers in dealing with nursing homes?
I'm sorry you're facing such a daunting situation. I wish I could provide a specific answer for you, but there are some factors that were not included in your query that would provide more input and allow me to give you a more complete answer. Therefore, I'll make some assumptions, which may or may not be correct, but as I stated, without knowing more, it's very difficult to provide a "perfect" response.
I'd be interested to know if your father has been evaluated by a geriatric psychiatrist and a geriatric neurologist to fully determine the basis of his psychosis, agitation and angry outbursts.
Are the nursing homes you've used in the past and are currently using specifically designed and staffed for Alzheimer's patients, particularly those who have certain behavior patterns such as your father is demonstrating? Not all nursing homes are equipped, nor their staff trained for difficult, abusive or combative patients. If his current residence is not an Alzheimer's specific type of facility, that could be part of the problem.
Are your father's doctors, particularly his psychiatrist and neurologist aware of his increased combativeness and outbursts? Who is monitoring the levels of anti-psychotic drugs that he may or may not be receiving. There's no doubt that violent types of behavior can be controlled by proper levels of certain medications, but some drugs have unwanted side-effects and must be even more carefully monitored.
Talk to the Executive Director and the Director of Nursing at the facility and calmly share your concerns. Try not to "tell" them how to care for your father, rather ask what can be done to keep him calm, safe, happy and well-cared for.
What you must also be aware of is that certain facility clients, perhaps such as your father when combative, create a situation for facility staff that may jeopardize their personal safety. In all cases, while the patient must be of primary concern, so too is the safety and concern for the staff. They are not expendable and are often in situations that require steps be taken to protect them from harm by physically stronger, larger or out of control patients.
There is almost always a solution, but it requires a complete team effort, and there's no reasoning with your father in his current state. By partnering with his doctors, both inside and out of the facility, and seeking cooperation and teamwork from the facility staff, you have a good chance of finding the perfect mix of prescription medicines and approach to his care to insure that he will be in and remain in good hands. Best of luck.
Hello '1whocares', Thanks for submitting your question! Caring.com has a few resources on our site that may be helpful to you as you search for answers on the topic of nursing homes caring for your loved one:
1.) What to Do if Things Go Wrong in a Nursing Home (article): http://www.caring.com/articles/nursing-home-problems
2.) What to Do if Things Go Wrong in an Assisted-Living Community: http://www.caring.com/articles/assisted-living-problems
3.) Mom's nursing home is kicking her out, but I can't care for her in my home. What do I do?: http://www.caring.com/questions/kicked-out-of-nursing-home-evicted
4.) How can we control my dad's violent behavior and find a care facility that will accept him?: http://www.caring.com/questions/control-dementia-violent-behavior
5.) What can we do if my aunt is about to be kicked out of her nursing home due to anger issues?: http://www.caring.com/questions/nursing-home-evict-anger-problems
