Any point to Namenda at this point?

Daughter of a Marine

I'm so tired. DH was diagnosed with dementia 16 years ago and was placed on Namenda and Galantamine. It appears they did slow progression but at age 78 he is now in a memory care facility. The Galantamine was discontinued a year ago but the Namenda was continued. . At this time his dementia has progressed mentally- he is completely incontinent and can no longer communicate or understand language. The most difficult issue is that he is still strong as an ox - can't make him do anything he doesn't want to do and attempts to reason with him are pointless When getting him ready for bed, he is extremely uncooperative and it takes at least 2 people to undress/dress him, when toileting, even trying to direct his walker which he holds with a vice like grip. When it's time to go to his room to get ready for bed, I end up literally pulling/pushing him and the walker to the point that my back aches and I am exhausted and frustrated. He continues to decline mentally and my question is whether anyone has experienced this and if so, when does the body begin to reflect what's happening to the brain? I visit every day and many times he doesn't appear to recognize me. We had a birthday party for him this week but shouldn't have - he didn't realize our kids were there, didn't want any pizza or cake and was oblivious to everything. Any insight/suggestions will be much appreciated. Thank you!

cdgbdr

My opinion is no need. My DH was on drug therapy just over a year. His testing indicated continued decline even with therapy. We used that objectI've information to make a decision. I'm wondering if your DH needs something to help with his resistance to care. It would help all of you caring for him.

Quilting brings calm

Namenda is supposedly for moderate to severe dementia. However it doesn’t sound like it’s helping. My suggestion would be to discontinue it and ask for something to make him less resistant to care.

my suggestion for you is to go at a different time of day and to go less frequently. Let the staff put him to bed. I know this suggestion is difficult to do. So do it gradually- skip every third day for a while. Try to plan something on those days to fill your time.

Daughter of a Marine

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/256416#Comment_256416

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/256416#Comment_256416

Daughter of a Marine

Thank you cdgbdr - At bedtime, he is on Seroquel, Trazzadone, Methadone, Hydrocodone and Ativan. He had back surgery 5 yrs ago and is fused from L1 to S1 due to advanced spinal arthritis. These meds treat his behaviors as well as his pain tho they make him a fall risk due to balance issues related to these meds. In the morning, he gets Seroquel, Methadone and Hydrocode.

Daughter of a Marine

Thank you, Quilting Brings Calm - -He has been in memory care for 15 months and I have been with him at lunchtime and dinner/bedtime every day since then with a few exceptions. I am recognizing the need to phase out the lunchtime visits; due to his resistant behavior and the facility's short staffing due to frequent call offs, I'm feeling the need to help at bedtime; it takes 2 people to manage him due to his strength (won't allow his pants to be pulled down, etc. I have seen what happens to residents whose behaviors are not controlled, being sent out to a behavioral facility. When they return they are never the same (electro shock therapy? Makes me wonder). My fear of what would happen if his agitation resulted in his pushing or injuring a staff member so I will likely continue the bedtime involvement, tho possibly not every night.

SDianeL

When does the body reflect what’s going on in the brain depends on what type of dementia and what part of the brain is affected by the disease. Until it affects things like eating, swallowing, blood pressure, blood sugar, the heart, the PWD can live 20 years or more. I stopped all medications except those for comfort for my DH. I didn’t want to do anything to prolong his suffering.