Freaking out somewhat

A geri-psych ward wasn't available where DH was in the ER unit. They used the leather restriction binds to hold him down until he had calmed down. I was aghast that he had been restrained this way, but to keep everyone safe, I suppose there's no other way. I had hoped they would keep him for a day or two to get the right meds, but he was showtiming so perfectly that the ER attending psych doctor released him, only for him to return to the ER within days.

Just glad these nightmarish days are gone and hope they never return. It's a blessing if you asked me that they're able to keep your DH until they can find the right meds. Do you have a diagnosis? Certain drugs are dangerous if it's Lewy Body.

Thanks! It was even more horrible when the cops took him away in handcuffs. He was combative and didn't obey the officers' instructions. Thankfully, the officers were compassionate enough to ask for his jacket to cover up the handcuffs in his back so that prying neighbors wouldn't notice. And even allowed him to choose to go to the ER in their patrol car or via ambulance. DH chose ambulance. DH kept calling for me, and the officers steered him away from me cuz he had bruised me up which was the reason for call to 911. 3x I had to call 911 with a trip to the ER, all within 2 weeks. On the 3rd trip to the ER, his psychiatrist surmised it could be Lewy Body and prescribed rivastigmine. That night, DH slept through the night…which hasn't happened in a very long time.

Dear Friends, @Dio and @M1 — thank you for sharing these experiences here as it helps us all. I have my own nightmare ER tales and a couple of hospital- admittance experiences that no caregiver or PWD should have to go through. Please, please, please take a moment to copy and paste your posts for input into the request for info that our longtime PWD member and public advocate, Michael Ellenbogen shared recently (via member @Lane Simonian). HERE is that thread with the comment link (before June 10 I believe). Sooner is probably better, in case it closes early. Thank you.

We can help many more people if this feedback is shared with the formal policy team that is looking to assess and improve hospitalization experiences for PWDs. @clarinetist we understand your angst as so many of us have been there. We need an ombudsperson or PWD interpreter standing by for such situations as the medical and police systems are not equipped. The entire transport and treatment system needs to be transformed. We can help. I think we probably are the only ones who can. (People actually living this experience, I mean). Please share it in response to his urgent request for all of our input, and encourage others to do so if you are in other IRL or virtual groups, etc. Thank you!

I am considering submitting comments, but sadly I have to say that I’m a cynic in this area too. I’ve been involved in many lobbying efforts over the years through the American College of Physicians, and these grandiose proposals have good language but few teeth. The generalities are overwhelming and the funding is not there. But I know we have to continue to try.