[NPInfo] Another Alzheimer's question

[David or Diane Dito]

Speaking of Alzheimer's, we're currently trying to figure out how best to
care for my mother-in-law who lost her husband earlier this year and is in
the early- to mid-stages of Alzheimer's. I bought a book, Alzheimer's
Disease: Everything You Need to Know (revised edition), by Dr. William
Molloy and Dr. Paul Caldwell, that is helpful (especially for her sons),
but....

She has some underlying psych issues (personality d/o and depression) on top
of the Alzheimer's, and is getting into a more paranoid and
argumentative/verbally aggressive state lately. She has a caregiver in her
own home 24/7, but will not allow them to monitor her meds...and has
admitted essentially that she is not taking them as directed (Lexapro,
Namenda and Aricept). In fact, she wants to send the caregivers away, but
has been told by her sons that this is not option.

She will need placement in the near future. For those of you with experience
in dealing with this disease, what type of environment seems to work best?
We're trying to give her some input into the process, but she seems
incapable of making a decision, although she agrees she doesn't want to stay
in her own home much longer. How is the medication issue best handled to
ensure she takes her meds while maintaining her dignity and giving her a
sense of some control over her care and environment?

Any suggestions or input anyone can offer will be much-appreciated.

TIA,
Diane Dito, NP
St. Louis

-----Original Message-----
From: npinfo-bounces at nurse.net [mailto:npinfo-bounces at nurse.net] On Behalf
Of Priscilla Merrill
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 7:39 PM
To: 'NP Info'
Subject: [NPInfo] Question

Anyone heard of a Dr. Blaylock?  My dad was asking.  His site looks like a
scam but told him I'd poll the group.  He supposedly helps Alzheimer's
patients.
Thanks for any info,

Priscilla Merrill FNP

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