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originally posted by: proteus33
a reply to: rickymousesorry about what was done by these people to your mom. i have seen medicare do similar things in my area to elderly patients. my landlord was 78 and he had a 60 percent blockage in his neck they put him on morphine and sent him home to die they told us to give him his meds every few hours till he passed it took 2 years before he finally died nut during that time his 60 year old daughter had both arteries in her neck 90 percent blocked and guess what they gave her surgery on one side and then the other. he asked his doctor if he could have procedure to they said sure but medicare would not cover it so he either had to get supplemental insurance or pay out of pocket. he died several months later from the morphine. he was physically active till he was put on morphine and hospice care but it took 2 years for him to die knowing he could have been treated but his gov and medicare that he payed for so many years just sent him home to die.i hope and pray your mom recovers and comes back to her regular self
originally posted by: misskat1
Dementia patients are being systematically euthanized by nursing homes.
My mom has dementia, and I put her into daycare. I was told she was combative and had to be put on antipsychotic medication or she wouldnt be able to go. So, I put her on resperiDONE. The first letters are lower case, and DONE is in capital letters.
After about a week on it, my mom stopped running, stopped talking, and became real quite she didnt even want to get out of bed etc. I took her off the meds but the damage is done. She is ninety yrs old, so it can be argued that it was time. But, I just knew there was a medication connection, so I googled "resperiDONE killing dementia patients". OMG, they really really are killing these people.
I feel like the medical industry, [name removed] daycare and even her Doctor. conspired to put a lethal dose of certain death in my hand and made me pull the trigger.
I know she is very old and its OK if she passes, but not like this, not by my hand. Its just wrong on so many levels.
Every professional along the chain of care down to the nurse, or aide, that put that medication in her mouth has responsibility. Each one is the gatekeeper of "do no harm". You are essentially the patient, as well, by association. You have been harmed as well, you did not do the harm.
originally posted by: misskat1
Dementia patients are being systematically euthanized by nursing homes. My mom has dementia, and I put her into daycare. I was told she was combative and had to be put on antipsychotic medication or she wouldnt be able to go. So, I put her on resperiDONE. The first letters are lower case, and DONE is in capital letters. After about a week on it, my mom stopped running, stopped talking, and became real quite she didnt even want to get out of bed etc. I took her off the meds but the damage is done. She is ninety yrs old, so it can be argued that it was time. But, I just knew there was a medication connection, so I googled "resperiDONE killing dementia patients". OMG, they really really are killing these people.
It is estimated that 64,000 elderly alz and dementia patients are killed a yr on this medication. There is a "Black Box Warning" that it can not be given to dementia or Alz patients. I am sick all over. I feel like the medical industry, [name removed] daycare and even her Doctor. conspired to put a lethal dose of certain death in my hand and made me pull the trigger.
I dont know how to make the public aware. But, I dont feel good that I gave her these meds, and would like to spare anyone else this horrid gut ache I have right now. Mom is still breathing, we are squirting water and broth with a syring down her. Just a few days ago she ate, 2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast, a whole banana and 2 glasses of milk without anyone helping. Now she cant even sit up. This medication has all but killed her. I know she is very old and its OK if she passes, but not like this, not by my hand. Its just wrong on so many levels.
Below are a few links.
www.alzconnected.org... www.drugwatch.com... america.aljazeera.com...
Medication examples
Some medications commonly used to treat behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, listed in alphabetical order by generic name, include the following:
Antidepressants for low mood and irritability:
citalopram (Celexa)
fluoxetine (Prozac)
paroxeine (Paxil)
sertraline (Zoloft)
trazodone (Desyrel)
Anxiolytics for anxiety, restlessness, verbally disruptive behavior and resistance:
lorazepam (Ativan)
oxazepam (Serax)
Antipsychotic medications for hallucinations, delusions, aggression, agitation, hostility and uncooperativeness:
aripiprazole (Abilify)
clozapine (Clozaril)
haloperidol (Haldol)
olanzapine (Zyprexa)
quetiapine (Seroquel)
risperidone (Risperdal)
ziprasidone (Geodon)
Antipsychotic Medications
The decision to use an antipsychotic drug needs to be considered with extreme caution. Research has shown that these drugs are associated with an increased risk of stroke and death in older adults with dementia. The FDA has ordered manufacturers to label such drugs with a “black box” warning about their risks and a reminder that they are not approved to treat dementia symptoms.
Learn more: FDA's Safety Alert About Antipsychotics
Based on scientific evidence, as well as governmental warnings and guidance from care oversight bodies, individuals with dementia should use antipsychotic medications only under one of the following conditions:
Behavioral symptoms are due to mania or psychosis
The symptoms present a danger to the person or others
The person is experiencing inconsolable or persistent distress, a significant decline in function or substantial difficulty receiving needed care
Antipsychotic medications should not be used to sedate or restrain persons with dementia. The minimum dosage should be used for the minimum amount of time possible. Adverse side effects require careful monitoring.
originally posted by: NoAngel2u
a reply to: Bedlam
The indications for that medication state very clearly "This medicine should not be used to treat behavioral problems in older adults who have dementia."
originally posted by: NoAngel2u
a reply to: Bedlam
It states very clearly "should NOT be used." In my never humble opion, even if the dr wanted to use that medication against the indications, then the family should have been consulted and INFORMED it would be used against industry indications.
originally posted by: Bedlam
originally posted by: NoAngel2u
a reply to: Bedlam
It states very clearly "should NOT be used." In my never humble opion, even if the dr wanted to use that medication against the indications, then the family should have been consulted and INFORMED it would be used against industry indications.
I agree that the family should be compelled to make the decision. Your loved one may refuse to eat, bathe, urinate etc, may get up and fall. May cry unconsolably 24/7, may scream, injure themselves, or attempt to injure others. Do you want us to:
1) restrain them physically and force them physically to eat and do other ADLs
2) let them go until they pass from malnutrition and skin breakdown
3) wait until they assault staff and have them imprisoned
4) give them a medication that will undoubtedly have side effects, some of which may be unattractive
5) let them fall until they get a head bleed or break a hip
There aren't a lot of really great choices for the elderly demented. Some people are very sweet and manageable. Most aren't. It's not a simple thing. There are no safe meds for elderly demented people. It can't be fixed. It won't get better. I wish there were a more Pollyanna way of looking at it, but there's not.