Just last week, I heard another story about an elderly person who changed doctors. The new doc took away a ton of pills and the person began to feel better. She had been dizzy, hardly responsive, losing weight, etc. The family even called hospice because they thought she was dying. With the new medication regimen, she is with it and has even gaiend a few pounds. Can you believe it?

Just wanted to share in case any of your loved ones are over-medicated and not doing well.

A doctor friend once shared this:

"Remember, medicine should help, not hurt. If it's not working, make a change."

It sounds so simple, but it's true. Some doctors prescribe new medicine and don't even want to see you for six months. I think that's crazy.

Dotsie, this is an excellent topic to bring up. In my work, I've seen this over and over. The elderly get hospitalized (drugs given by doctors upon discharge), then go into rehab (more drugs prescribed and some confusion as to what is to be taken at what dose), and then home. Time and time again I've seen an intelligent physician finally step in after some concern of a caregiver or family, remove all drugs and start over. The patient gets better, gains weight and is more lucid. This should always be a consideration first if a loved one is failing.

But how do you find the doctor that has the sense to do this? As you probably know from what I've shared in the past, my mom didn't have a doctor before 2007. She is now on four medications, and under the care of the facility doctor. The neurologist I took her to a few weeks ago recommended that the facility reduce doses for two of the medications, but the facility doctor has yet to do it. We are going into the third week since the neurologist visit. I spoke again to the facility case worker yesterday. She said the doctor is sick, and that she'd look into it herself. I'm a bit peeved.

They had my friend on twelve different meds. She was nearly comatose. I said something to the head nurse about it causing chemical imbalance in people's brains. She said,
"Oh, we know." They don't seem to care. They just want to veggie older folks' out so nobody has to deal with them. A "good," "caring" Geriatric Specialist is not easy to find! They're few and far between. But I have come across a couple in the last two and half years.

oh, jabber, I think you are so right...
My syster worked in geriatrics for part of her nursing career. She calls it warehousing... putting them away in a controlled environment to wait for their deaths.
They had my mom on a hefty daily dose of Depakote (mind altering), on top of her daily doses of Seroquel (another mind altering drug). When I'd visit, she wasn't even able to keep her eyes open. With the neurologist to back me, I requested they at least reduce her daily dose of Depakote by the 500 mg application in the afternoon. I've recently found out there are major health/death risks with Seroquel, so that's my next target. I realize she will die eventually, but to kill her slowly by damaging her organs one by one is just not right.

You aren't kidding! It isn't right! Society as a whole,
should rise up against the ill treatment of the elderly.
It is a legal, crime that needs correcting.

Different problem here.
Medication is sourced for cost and certain generic medicine used.This varies and although the same may look different (packaging and colour and shape.)So poor old mum or dad get confused.Even for myself ongoing medication prescribed may have the same clinical name but due to different manufacturers have similar but different name.

How we treat our elderly tells a lot about our society.
MA

Anne327,
There are 2 sides 2 every issue. I understand what you're saying. From what I've seen with the situation I've been thrusted into, nice people can be tormented into bad behavior. I've seen my friend do things, that of her own accord, she'd never think of acting out. But when the world has crushed your spirit; taken all the earthly possessions you've worked a lifetime to acquire; and turned a majority
of your friends against you, the results are going to be negative. The illness you mentioned is horrible. But sometimes the elderly are made to look like they have problems, they really don't have. And all because some evildoers want to steal their wealth. I see your side. I agree with your side. Hope you can see where I'm coming from!
Prayers and blessings...

Anne327, I can say right away that this man needs a full evaluation. From my own experience, it sounds as if he needs some meds and isn't being given anything. When dementia kicks in, one of the effects of it is the violent tendencies. I find it unbelievable that someone hasn't evaluated him and put him on meds. That should have been STEP 1 when he was put into an assisted living place. They didn't question this? What about his family? One of the very first things to go with a dementia patient is their grooming so I'm not a bit surprised to hear that he won't shower, shave, and so forth. What I am surprised to hear is that the facility doesn't recognize this and do something!

A dementia patients mind flip flops between reality and their damaged perceptions. God love him, he needs to see a Neurologist and he needs drugs. Soon.

Healthy minds flip flop between right and wrong, up and down, good and bad! LOL...