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I am so upset right now that I can hardly see straight. My mom is in a Skilled Nursing Facility. She is in early stages of dementia. When she first went into the SNF, she was confused and crying all the time. The facility doctor, put her on Celexa, Ativan and Depakote, along with Namenda XR. For the last three weeks, it has been like a miracle and my Mother is back to her old self again. I know with dementia that this will probably be short lived and we have just been thankful and blessed.

Well, I get a call tonight from the nurse, and she was just as upset as I now am, because the doctor made rounds and changed all of my mom’s meds. He took her off of everything but the Namenda XR and did not give any reason why. I have no doubt that she will go right back into the downward spiral that she was in just a few weeks ago.

Of course, I plan on calling and speaking with the Nurse Supervisor tomorrow morning. She was actually the one that suggested the cocktail of meds that mom was put on that has worked so well. Do any of you have any advice or have you had to deal with this type of thing? I just can’t understand when something is working so well, why you would change it. She was so looking forward to Mother’s Day and now I am afraid by then she will be back to confusion and crying all the time.

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Thank you Jeanne, I plan on being and have been for years. This is just my first experience with someone who is not her regular doctor. If something is working so well, I just can't understand changing it.
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I won't even go into the problems we've had with SNF doctors, including ones who billed for services NOT rendered.

Definitely speak with the Nurse Supervisor, but if she doesn't have the authority to make immediate changes and/or can't get a reversal of the doctor's orders, go above her head to the Administrator.

You may have to go in person to demonstrate your concern and intent not to let this doctor change your mother's meds. I don't know if it's possible but you might try to get an agreement from the Administrator that this doctor won't be allowed to change meds unless there's an emergency or medical crisis.

We were so disgusted with one doctor that we demanded he not be allowed to treat my mother.

Good luck. I can feel your frustration!
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Thank you GardenArtist. At this facility there are two doctors, neither of which I am familiar with. I had an issue the first week my mom was there and thankfully, the Administrator and Nurse Supervisor worked very quickly to get it resolved. I pray that will the the case with this. This is not a permanent home for my mom and she is only to be there about 6 more weeks. Something that has worked so well, I just want left alone. Sorry you had such a bad experience. Thanks again for your input.
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UPDATE: Thank you all so much for replies. I was so worried and it turned out that I didn’t have to do one thing. Her nurse was so upset about it that she had taken the initiative to see the Nurse Supervisor, who is in direct contact with the doctor and had the orders reversed, before I could even get up there that morning. I got a called from the nurse letting me know that it was taken care of. Needless, to say, I am very thankful for such and attentive nursing staff. I was a bit afraid when mother went to this place that it would not be as nice and effective as the place she was before, because it is very small. It turns out that has been a blessing, because she gets a lot of undivided attention and they are much more alert to her needs. I was so relieved. Thanks again.
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I'm going to guess the state came in and told the whole facility to cut back on meds. You go in there and get it corrected with a further note not to make changes without permission. Hold your ground.
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Thank you Pam. This is my first experience with this. Mother has been in SNF before (she lives with me) but it was in a facility where her regular doctor made rounds, so he was very familiar with her medical history. This facility is in another town, as there was no availability elsewhere, so with this came a new doctor. I wasn't sure how much leverage I had, even though I am her POA. I am prepared to hold my ground for sure. I know I am my mom's voice. It is just so upsetting to know how well she was doing and then feel like the rug has been ripped out. Thanks again.
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Mom needs an advocate. You're it. Hang in there!
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