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I see no difference any meds subscribed to my wife by her doctor having any effect. She has 'Sundowners' hallucinations, and doesn't recognize me as her husband, especially in the evening and when we go to bed.
Deeshusband; The med you mention is the generic name of Exelon. It is thought to have the effect of reducing hallucinations in some Dementia patients. If it's not doing that, you need to let Dee's doctors know that. They might want to increase the dosage, or they might want to try a different drug.
I"m so sorry she doesn't recognize you; that must be truly heartbreaking. Please let us know what feedback you get from her doctor. We all learn from each other's experiences here.
EXELON which is what you have is to preserve your wife's symptoms for an undetermined time. My husband was started on EXELON patch ( lowest dose) upped to the 2nd dosage and now is on the 13.3, the strongest patch. 1 & 2 are for mild mid stage AD, with the 3rd for later stages. I think it helps him quite a bit. Does she take anything other then what you mentioned? I use SEROQUEL low dose 25mg am & PM and as a get around the sun downing so about 3:30 I give him 1/2 a SEROQUEL in a cup of decaf that really helps. Another reason for the hallucinations could be a UTI, I have only seen that once, but with a female it could be ongoing if their private area is not kept clean. Just to let you know it is much harder for a husband caring for a wife with AD, but with the correct medication you can learn to handle these situations when they come up. If you have more questions please post them here. This is my 9 th year of care taking at home, first it is not believable - then you get mad, then you try to cope and finally you learn to live in her world as she cannot live in yours anymore. It works. PS my husband has not really known me as his wife for 3-4 years now, but he knows my name and that I am very important to him.
Nothing in pill form will transform your wife into the person she once was. The Sundowner's subsides after a few hours and if your wife does not recognize you as her husband, she is in the later stages of this horrible disease. Prepare yourself for the inevitable. My prayers are with you too.
Excelon is usually prescribed in conjunction with other medications like, namenda, xyprexa, etc. to try and ease or eliminate hallucinations/sundowning etc.
Keep in mind that this is a progressive disease and it's imperitive that you stay in close contact with her primary care physician to adjust dosages etc. This is a great time for you to begin your research and prepare yourself. Read the forums here, talk to your/her doctor, as well as an Elder Attorney to be sure her wishes are made known while/if she still has legal capacity to do so.
This is always great site to come to with any questions. My best to you and your wife.
The clinical research on rivastigmine and the other cholinesterase inhibitors overall finds that the effect on behavior is often small or of minor impact. That said, it seems to have more effect in some people (or for some types of dementia), so it's often worth trying it for at least a few months. Adjusting the dose might help.
Otherwise, when people with dementia are violent or really agitated, we consider antipsychotics, such as the Seroquel that one person mentioned. The downside is possible sedation, increased risk of fall, and increased risk of premature death.
So such drugs are supposed to be used as last resort, or at least in combination with a variety of other techniques that can improve behavior in people with dementia.
If you are having these difficulties with your wife, you should keep asking the doctor for help -- if you can't reach him, is it possible to switch to a different clinic? -- but I would also recommend contacting your local area agency on aging and asking for help learning dementia behavior techniques. You might be able to learn these from dementia support groups. Teepa Snow's online videos are good too.
You basically want to learn the most constructive ways to respond, in order to redirect or defuse her agitation. You should also learn techniques to cope with your own stress or frustration when your wife is difficult; this will be better for your health and studies find that the person with dementia does better when the caregiver is less stressed.
There are also some other approaches that can help reduce sundowning and difficult behaviors, like making sure the person gets enough fresh air, sunlight, and physical activity during the day.
I am truly sorry that there are no easier answers for this situation, and also sorry that most doctors and primary care clinics are so ill-equipped to assist people in your situation.
Firstly you should read the information leaflet that comes with the medication. Then you should talk to your doctor about the symptoms you are observing. At some point in the disease drugs do not help.
Deeshusband: Research "Capras syndrome", aka "imposter syndrome", aka "misidentification" syndrome. If that is what it is, then it means that she loves you. Also, if that is what it is, she will misidentify other loved ones also. Once, you become knowledgeable about this subject and related behavior, it is not difficult to understand this uncomfortable reality (to her) and deal with it.
Deeshusband: Why are you posting to yourself? I am confused when you say "I am not willing to leave the house until her husband gets home." First you call yourself her husband and then you don't.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
I"m so sorry she doesn't recognize you; that must be truly heartbreaking. Please let us know what feedback you get from her doctor. We all learn from each other's experiences here.
Keep in mind that this is a progressive disease and it's imperitive that you stay in close contact with her primary care physician to adjust dosages etc. This is a great time for you to begin your research and prepare yourself. Read the forums here, talk to your/her doctor, as well as an Elder Attorney to be sure her wishes are made known while/if she still has legal capacity to do so.
This is always great site to come to with any questions. My best to you and your wife.
Otherwise, when people with dementia are violent or really agitated, we consider antipsychotics, such as the Seroquel that one person mentioned. The downside is possible sedation, increased risk of fall, and increased risk of premature death.
So such drugs are supposed to be used as last resort, or at least in combination with a variety of other techniques that can improve behavior in people with dementia.
If you are having these difficulties with your wife, you should keep asking the doctor for help -- if you can't reach him, is it possible to switch to a different clinic? -- but I would also recommend contacting your local area agency on aging and asking for help learning dementia behavior techniques. You might be able to learn these from dementia support groups. Teepa Snow's online videos are good too.
You basically want to learn the most constructive ways to respond, in order to redirect or defuse her agitation. You should also learn techniques to cope with your own stress or frustration when your wife is difficult; this will be better for your health and studies find that the person with dementia does better when the caregiver is less stressed.
There are also some other approaches that can help reduce sundowning and difficult behaviors, like making sure the person gets enough fresh air, sunlight, and physical activity during the day.
I am truly sorry that there are no easier answers for this situation, and also sorry that most doctors and primary care clinics are so ill-equipped to assist people in your situation.
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