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Which type of doctor

brisharon
brisharon Member Posts: 4
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in Caring Long Distance

Hi, my brother has early onset and has just reached the stage where he is getting angry and wandering away. My sister-in-law had to call the police to find him today. He is in great shape, and gets a long way quickly. He is also getting angry that he can't find the keys to his truck. (Sis-in-law has them hidden.) His anger is escalating quickly. My sister-in-law is getting no help from the neurologist at this point. What kind of doctor can focus on supportive care - advise on psychiatric meds, etc.?

Comments

  • JanetCS
    JanetCS Member Posts: 6
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    Dr should be able to give him something. Watch TEEPA SNOW VIDEOS. She is soooo helpful. I was close to driving off a bridge and then found her videos. So HARD!!!!!

  • brisharon
    brisharon Member Posts: 4
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/189849#Comment_189849

    Thank you!

  • M1
    M1 Member Posts: 6,788
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    A geriatric psychiatrist is likely the most helpful. His primary care doc may be able to prescribe something in the interim---if he is a risk to himself or others, his wife/your SIL may need to have him taken to the nearest emergency room and evaluated for emergency psychiatric admission. There are threads about how to stay safe--she should have a bag packed in the car, identify a safe room she can lock, remove any weapons from the house, and always, always have her cell phone with her.

  • brisharon
    brisharon Member Posts: 4
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/189890#Comment_189890

    Thank you so much! So helpful!

  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 4,479
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    Geri psych.

    The truck is a visual trigger. It's best your SIL disappears it. She could create a story about it being at the dealer for a safety recall. Rinse and repeat.

  • DjetteAM
    DjetteAM Member Posts: 3
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    We had difficulty at first with getting a neurologist to tell us ANYTHING helpful, very frustrating so I understand where you’re coming from! I agree that a geriatric psychiatrist is the way to go. My mother saw a therapist for a short time who was much more insightful. There are medications that can ease his agitation if the dr feels it’s appropriate. My mother takes Paxil and Seroquel (works well but has side effects), they aren’t a cure all but have been helpful in easing her agitation and sundowning. I know there are other medications out there specifically for Alzheimer’s, hopefully you can find someone to help you attain the care you need for your brother.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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