What can we do if my aunt is about to be kicked out of her nursing home due to anger issues?
I am very sorry you are having to deal with this very difficult problem. Unfortunately, it is very common that as dementia progresses, people become frightened and confused and this leads to aggressive behaviors. In your aunt's case, her long history of anxiety may be further exacerbating the problem.
Your aunt has displayed anger problems in the nursing home and that led to their recommendation she be evaluated in the hospital on a geriatric psychiatry unit. Given the problems she has had, I would encourage you to follow that recommendation. In the hospital, her doctors could look to see if she has a medical problem that is playing a role in her difficult behaviors, or whether she might be on a medication that is making things worse. It is very common for such medical issues to exacerbate behavior problems associated with dementia. If that is not the case, there are a variety of psychiatric medications that could be helpful to her. These include antidepressants, mood-stabilizers and antipsychotic medications. I would generally suggest avoiding benzodiapepines, medications prescribed for anxiety, because of the memory problems associated with them. Each of the medication types have their potential risks and benefits and the doctors can help you make decisions in your aunt's best interest. In the hospital medication could be started and adjusted more aggresively than at the nursing home because she will be seen regularly by both doctors and nurses who will be able to carefully monitor her response. It is likely by the end of such a hospitalization her behavior will be significantly improved and she will be able to return to the nursing home in a much safer and more comfortable condition.
In terms of the phone calls your aunt has been making to you, I would strongly encourage you to set limits. If she is in the later stages of dementia, she is not likely able to remember what you said or even that you spoke to each other. This leads to her calling over and over, never seeming to be satisfied. I would suggest that you establish a definite time you will speak to her, and the staff at the nursing home or the hospital remind her of that when she asks to call you. It would likely be best if it is the same time each day, so she can hopefully adjust to it. If she has a phone of her own, this may be a time to take that from her.
I hope the staff at the nursing home and perhaps at the hospital can improve your aunt's quality of life and you can rest more easily.
We have tried several medications for anxiety/aggression caused by my mom's dementia. Risperidone-M seems to be working the best for her. The "M" is for Melt, which is a fast acting form of the drug that melts in the patient's mouth.
Wonderful things happen after medication is regulated! I promise it does.I have experienced patients who's deteriating conditions cause fustration and violence. Not only is it unsafe to be in the same room with these people, other patients are at risk too. Please remember that due to the decline in brain function, the necessary chemicals and hormones that regulate the healthy are sometimes very scarce in a patient with dementia. A trip to the geri/psy ward is 9 times out of 10 sucessful!
We also had a really good experience with a gero-psych unit - it may sound scary, but they may do a wonderful job and make a lasting impact on quality of life. My MIL went soemwhere in Phila PA, and my Mom has been able to receive outpatient services at the Benedum center and folow up eslewhere that helped her get along better in her assisted living, and helped me get documentation of her vascular dementia that we really needed. Plus support and advice for me, which I really needed too...I have a friend in Pgh PA also whose dad needed a longer term specialized placement due to more aggressive behaviors and they were able to find a suitable place that owuld not kick him out but wouldhelp as much as possible. I hope this helps..
We managed my loved one at home with lorazepam doses for a couople of years. Anger, aggression and hostility were prevalent, but generally tolerated with the drug, patience, love, a lot of redirecting, reapproaching, and a whole lot of walking away. When grooming, bathing, toileting and medication administration became increasingly challenged, we chose a nursing home. That experience (5 yrs ago now) unknowingly changed my life forever. I was naive that he was in the hands of professionals--HA! It's why I'm here tonight. He passed three years ago, but the experience of and during his residency plagued me 24 hours a day, challenged the staff, grieved my family, and got the attention of the state health department. Finally, after lobbying the home for an appropriate medication evaluation and change of therapy, he was placed on an antidepressant and was downright courteous, compliant and a complete change of personality. It was pure torture on all involved for the eleven months before. I only wish there had been a qualified and concerned medical professional extending an offer extended like you have. Do not hesitate to participate in this evaluation process, it can save a lot of needless stress and grief for everyone, even loving and concerned people not providing hands on daily care. Jump on this without hesitation, but monitor the process, recommendations and progress. Godspeed.
