FIL Delusional in Rehab

Malka

Hi,

My FIL is in rehab. He has become delusional at night and even though my husband requested a consult and that he be placed on medication (haloperido or quetiapine) they have not. Is it because it is a no restraint facility? Last night he barricaded himself in his bedroom and locked the door. It took hours for the staff to open the door.

Thank you for any responses

jmlarue

It's certainly possible that the facility considers the antipsychotics are a chemical restraint. If so, I think it would be likely that they ask you to move him to a facility with a more appropriate level of care. On the other hand, I would be asking them to make absolutely sure that he's not suffering this delusional behavior because he has a urinary tract infection. That can cause all sorts of very bizarre behavior and the easy fix is antibiotics.

​fesk

I am sorry your FIL is not doing well.

I agree with jmlarue, have him tested for a UTI. I would also have him tested to see if there are any other underlying medical issues causing the problem. I don't think it's uncommon for delirium to set in when in a hospital/rehab type setting. That may be what is happening. 

Please let us know how he is doing.

caregiving daughter

Please ensure there are no infections, lung or UTI. You could google hospital delirium as being out of your surrounding can cause delusional behavior. There are some steps you can take to orient your loved one. It could be very scary to wake up in an unfamiliar setting and have not idea why you are there.

zauberflote

Hi Malta, you've had excellent advice here, so I need not repeat it. I am concerned that it "took hours for the staff to open the door" when your FIL locked himself in. Was the reason that they couldn't figure out what to do and spent hours coming up with a solution? Or did they simply not notice he'd barricaded himself?  Is this rehab a temporary placement to rehabilitate physically from surgery or the like, or is it a permanent living arrangement?

The reason for my concern is, what would they have done in case of an evacuation-type emergency, or if they could tell he'd hurt himself (fallen, or whatever)? I would think any locked  doors should have corresponding keys in the hands of staff. 

I'm sorry they haven't trialed a medication-- can your DH find out why?

Malka

Thank you for your replies.

It seems that antipsychotic drugs are considered chemical restraints.

He has been tested for a UTI and sepsis again and the delusions keep coming. Other rehab places will not except him (we have asked other rehabs) as a transfer from a current one. We would have to get him back to the hospital to be able to do that.

This rehab, in Little Neck New York, will not do anything. The care is not good. My FIL family is paying for a private care giver to be with him there. I am not sure of what she is doing, but to me it is minimal. I think it is being there almost 3 months.

Do they contact the authorities? Or someone else?

Thanks,