How can I deal with a verbally aggressive and sometimes Alzheimer's patient

jskydell

My husband has always had a very short fuse with his anger. He would only show this behavior maybe once a year over the last 49 years. Now he has Alzheimer's and while his long term memory is still intact, he has very little short term memory. Over the decades he has never remained focused on a "problem", and usually would calm down and we could go back to our relationship. Now he is having more and more episodes. They are increasing each week. This current episode has lasted 5 days. He is under the care of a neurologist, but he did not want to prescribe anything to keep him relaxed other than a SNRI. At what point should I consider calling 911 and see if he can be Baker acted?
Baker Acted.

Ed's mom

We're still in the argue about arguing stage but my LO is brutal. Name-calling, incideithat never happened, but her mouth! This is, was, a kind living compassionate nurse and 44 year partner. "It's a stage" I keep hearing. Once she grabbed me and that's the line for me. I weigh 118#, she weighs 185#.

Any time there's a physical attack again I will call 911.

ronda b

Any time there is bodily hurt or trying to hurt you. Like throwing stuff at you.

CindyBum

Though you may be happy with your neurologist, I realized mine was not the right kind of doctor to get quick, meaningful help with the types of meds needed for Alzheimers and other dementia type illnesses. I found a geriatric psychologist who was much more responsive and had a better handle on medications for the various behaviors that can come with dementia.

Best of luck to you! Please keep yourself safe and trust your gut. If you're afraid, call 911!

Cardenas1816

my husband is at the same stage. He never was an angry person before EOAD but now has agitated anger often. His neurologist was good about prescribing meds to calm him down. Maybe switch neurologists?

dschiefe

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/77252/how-can-i-deal-with-a-verbally-aggressive-and-sometimes-alzheimers-patient

I am new to this sight. My husband has been diagnosed with mild dementia. I retired two years ago to be with him. We don’t have enough money on retirement to travel so we are at home everyday. He walks a lot and I’m just feeling lost. I taught preschool for 26 years. It was getting bad with administration getting involved and I was ready to get out. But now I’m feeling really lost. The last two weeks my husband has had two separate aggressive episodes. Verbally, not physically. Still hurtful. I messaged his doctor and he put him on Vraylar for a month with me calling him in two weeks to check in. My kids are tired of me complaining to them. They haven’t said that to me but I can tell they’re in the middle and are uncomfortable. What am I supposed to do?

Quilting brings calm

You need a geriatric psychiatrist - even a psychiatry clinic at a teaching hospital would help. They are the ones to prescribe mood altering drugs, such as antidepressants, anxiety or antipsychotic medication.

BPS

Talk to your PCP. My wife's doctor was good about helping with medication when needed. He didn't want to start too soon and I didn't either, but when we talked he was helpful. The medications can take a while to work.