LO Not Recognizing Substitute Aide - Does he need to go to MC?

Malka

My LO was happy his regular aide was going away for her weekend off. He was in great spirits. So much so that he ate a well rounded meal for dinner. They spent a nice day together and when I spoke to them both after dinner they sounded very good. My LO knows this women, but hasn't seen her in 3 weeks. She is the regular sub for the past year.

The trouble starts at bedtime when she tries to get him to take his new medication, which he has been on for over a week. She calls the regular aide and she speaks to him and gets him to take it. He goes to sleep, but he wakes up with a nightmare. She goes in to tend to him and he doesn't recognize her. Starts screaming that she is an imposter and he is going to call the police. She calls the regular aide again ( now it's about 5 in the morning). She can't calm him down. At 6 he calls me. I go to see him. He is calmer now, but clearly agitated. He wants the catheter out and he tells me that everyone is against him. Repeat to him that he needs the catheter and confirm that he doesn't want it on his leg anymore. He thinks that I am gullible to believe the doctor.

His regular aide comes back before lunch. He is clearly happy and relieved to see her. I stay for another hour talking to him and to her. He relaxes and falls asleep. He slept the whole afternoon. He woke up and then he wouldn't dinner again.

How can I employ someone and not have them have a day/s off? I feel like I am pinballing through hospice, memory care, and whatever else might be looming. Where do I go from here?

Thanks,

Malka

PlentyQuiet

Could he be sundowning? First step may be to speak with his PCP, sometimes medications can help.

LicketyGlitz

I second Plenty's suggestion of talking to his doctor, and if a referral to a geriatric psych doctor is an option ask for one. These professionals specialize in medications that can help subdue some of dementia's worst manifestations. Not completely, but they can make a dementia day (and night) a little easier on your LO and those who are caring for him.

MC may be in your future, but a geri psych doctor may be a better first step.

Good luck to you all!