Check Out Alzheimer’s Patients’ Medications for Overmedication
Recently Liz Lewis wrote the post, Alzheimer’s or Overmedicated, which struck a chord with me. Sometimes, in order to control or address difficult behaviors in older patients, medications are used that could give the appearance of Alzheimer’s. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s being done deliberately. Sometimes it could happen because of interaction between medications. However, if someone is taking medication and begins to show Alzheimer’s symptoms, check out what’s being perscribed.
I didn’t have an overmedicated problem with my mom, who did develop Alzheimer’s. However, medication was described by her doctor to control difficult behavior as she exhibited some of the more aggressive symptoms of the illness at one point. This calmed her and made it easier for her care at the nursing home.
Different Nursing Homes & Different Doctors
Circumstances necessitated my moving her to a different nursing home. There they suggested removing her from this medication and trying to address her behavior in other ways. They did not believe in using medication to control a patient.
Whether Mother simply was moving into a different, less aggressive stage of Alzheimer’s or whether the techniques used at this nursing home met with success, I don’t know. However, she didn’t need medication to calm her anymore. Since each person is affected differently by Alzheimer’s, it can be puzzling sometimes how to treat them for various behaviors and symptoms.
I’m not saying it was wrong to use medication with Mother, and in the smaller dose she had. She certainly didn’t become a zombie even though she was quieter with the medication. I found it interesting, though, the two types of care used by different doctors and different nursing homes.
What has been your experience with medication (or overmedication) and Alzheimer’s?
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
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POSTED IN: Alzheimer's/Care, Alzheimer's/Personal Caregiving Experiences, Alzheimers+health
6 opinions for Check Out Alzheimer’s Patients’ Medications for Overmedication
Phil Van de Carr MD
Jun 5, 2008 at 12:59 pm
As a retired geriatrician, I am well aware of problems with polypharmacy in the elderly. I was fortunate that the SNF’s I visited were well staffed and willing to employ techniques to calm and redirect agitated residents with dementia.
There is a place for sedation and mood affecting meds, but every case is unique.
Mary Emma Allen
Jun 6, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Thanks, Phil, for stopping by Alzheimer’s Notes and sharing your input with us. Having adequate staff definitely makes it easier for nursing homes to work with agitated residents. Also, as you say, each person is different.
Bob Tell
Jun 6, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I believe that overmedication in the elderly is a major culprit in misdiagnosis and diminished life quality. When my mother (now deceased) was in a nursing home and suffering from mult-infarct dementia, a new doctor eliminated half of her (expensive) drugs and cut the dosage of the remaining ones in half. Result: her cognitive function improved almost immediately, as did her enjoyment of her limited life. Thanks for calling attention to this issue.
Bob Tell, Author of Dementia Diary, A Caregiver’s Journal (http://www.dementia-diary.com)
Dawna
Aug 9, 2008 at 9:16 pm
My 85 y/o father fell 2 weeks ago and broke his hip. After surgery he was agressive and combative. Meds prescribed were anti-psychotic and pain meds. Now in nursing home for 1 week he is like a walking zombie yet they tell me this is normal for elderly. Prior to the fall he lived alone, paid his own bills, shopped,drove,etc. Any thoughts on what I can do at this point. I am very concerned for his well being and am transferring him to a different facility next week. Got a call he fell from his bed last night. This is so foreign and terrifying to me. Any ainput appreciated.
Mary Emma Allen
Aug 9, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Hello Dawna,
Since I’m not trained in the medical field nor know the complete situation with your dad, I don’t want to give suggestions that will steer you in the wrong direction. So I’ll suggest places you might go for answers.
*Have you talked with his doctor to see why this amount of medication has been prescribed? Is your dad in a great deal of pain without the meds?
*Check the policy of the nursing home where you’re considering moving him. Some have a minimal drug policy unless absolute necessary for pain. This was the case with my mom.
*Check to see if your state (probably under the Dept. of Health and Human Services, Div of Elderly and Adult Services) has an Ombudsman program. I knew nothing about this until a lady called me, when I had to move Mother to a second nursing home after the first one closed. She calmed me, answered questions, and helped me get everything organized. Essentially they’re advocates for the elderly living in long-term care and nursing home facilities. The ombudsman should be able to answer your questions or help you find answers.
The problem so often is that these parent care situations come upon us suddenly. We aren’t prepared and don’t know where to turn for information.
I hope this helps.
Mary Emma Allen
Aug 9, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Thanks, Bob, for stopping by Alzheimer’s Notes and sharing your mom’s experience. The second nursing home where I had my mom cut out almost entirely (weaned Mother off) a drug prescribed at the first. The second nursing home had a policy of using these drugs only when necessary. But what was the solution for Mother may not be true for everyone. Become knowledgeable about your parent’s situation. Learn the “why’s and wherefore’s.”
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