Bad hallucinations

Pam G.

After a short vacation we are suddenly dealing with hallucinations and aggression. Pretty scary. Life has screeched to a halt. I’m following all the recommendations for dealing with this. How long before we look into a mem care facility?

SDianeL

there are medications that can help with hallucinations & aggression. I would start looking now to see what the options are. Memory Care is for when you can no longer care for the person or you can't keep them safe. It is very scary.

Vitruvius

In my area it can take as much as a year to get into a "good" MCF (measured by degree of care, not cost or facility appearance). Some require a fully refundable deposit to get on the list, usually a thousand or so dollars. But if your LO's name comes up you can just "pass" and then stay on top of the list for the next opening, indefinitely. This means even if you wait for a crisis event you will still be closer to getting a spot. If you are remotely considering an MCF, this is what I would advise and is what I did.

Ed1937

Pam, welcome to the forum. I wish you didn't need it.

I think you should talk to his doctor ASAP about this. It's possible that after a few days at home he could be back to baseline. We don't know exactly how bad things are now, but if you'll let us know, we can give better suggestions. It's possible that he may need hospitalization, and have a geriatric psychiatrist go over his meds. They are the experts when it comes to handling very difficult symptoms. So give us more information so we can help better.

ButterflyWings

Yes, a new environment, short vacay or any change in routine can bring out the worst in our PWD LOs. He may settle down in another day or 2 as he adjusts to the familiar surroundings and routines of home.

Also, ruling out a silent UTI is always recommended whenever there is any sudden behavioral escalation.

Pam G.

Thank you. We traveled in March and it was hard on him, but he wasn’t like this. We had a full physical work up at the ER on Wednesday. He’s physically fine. More and more agitated. Had a video appointment with geriatric specialist yesterday who suggested some med changes. She suggested that he may be having delusions, and forwarded some med recommendations to his neurologist, whom he’s seeing on Monday. He’s suddenly become completely uncooperative and this morning tried to “run away.” He won’t stop talking about the nasty suggestions the voices are making. He blames me for them. He’s done some pounding on things, and was pushing me around. I’m not sure how to make it until Monday.

ButterflyWings

Safety first. He is now being physically abusive - that is very dangerous. I have used liquid Melatonin (10 mgs approved by Dr. - slipping it into his juice, water, pudding or anything to get it in him quickly and that slowed him down but did not sedate). Big difference for us though, as my DH was never physically abusive but was a flight risk. This otc solution is only temporary, not a substitute for proper supervision and med management by professionals when your DH is actively raging. Monday is a long time for you to keep one eye open and out of arms length when he is "pounding on things." Please get all weapons and things that could be weaponized out of the house.

Urgent: You need to be able to have keys, ID, phone, and phone charger on you at all times, as well as access to a locked room with window or other exit option for you. Can you videotape him in this mode, (from a safe distance) and then please consider calling 911 again asking for a mental health intervention as he is a danger to you and himself. Then continue to tell them you cannot take him back home until he is stabilized.

I am so sorry you are going through this. You are right that it sounds like UTI or some serious underlying change since your trip, for sure.

Dio

Ditto everything ButterflyWings said...your safety comes first. Regardless of what is causing his changes in behavior, start looking for memory care now. It takes time to find one that you like, and may need to get on a waitlist.

Ed1937

Location, location, location. We've all heard that about real estate. With this disease it's safety, safety, safety. If you don't do it right, there may not be a second chance.

1Ly

Any agitation or aggressiveness is recorded on their records and could affect placement if and when that time comes.

Husband was having issues out of the blue and we are now having a hard time finding personal help. I can’t do this without help at this point, so we have started preparing for if I can’t find help.

Now due to previous aggression most places won’t accept them.

M1

Pam, you need to take him back to the ER and have him admitted to a geriatric psych ward for medication management, and you need to say, repeatedly, that you cannot care for him at home. He is a danger to himself and others. Agree with the above---no facility will take him until the aggression and flight risk are dealt with. It may be easiest to have him placed from the hospital, and the social workers there can help. This is the route I had to take, as have many others here. If you don't do it now, it will likely still be required later, because he stands a high risk of rejection from facilities until you do.