I haven't been posting too often because we've had things somewhat under control with my dad and my MIL(who has AD) and FIL. That has changed in the past few weeks with the hospitalization of my FIL. He had a UTI and he literally "lost his mind" by the time we got him to the ER. He is 86 and not in the best of health physically or mentally. After a week in intensive care, he was discharged to a SNF. He has become delusional (talks to his long-dead sister a lot), yells, screams, and pounds his fist on the wall among other things. The psychiatrist saw him today and has ordered a CT scan for Monday. I'm afraid we may be looking at a dementia diagnosis for him (Lewy bodies maybe). How will we ever care for him with all his bad behaviors? Even if he doesn't have dementia, dealing with him is very difficult. I'm so glad this forum is here, I feel you are the only ones who truly understand how difficult caregiving is, especially when dementia is involved.

Dear ClevR,

I'm sorry to hear about your FIL. Don't jump to conclusions yet. Wait for all the test results.

Many elderly people who suffer with A UTI go a little mad but return to normal after things are stabilized. This can take some time. Please, try to be patient and wait for the doctor to finish his diagnosis and treatment.

Hang in there. We're here for you.

Please, come back and let us know how all of you make out.

If you ever need immediate assistance, please call the 24/7 AD Helpline @ 800-272-3900.

Good Luck. Get some sleep if you can.

You have not idea how many of us do totally understand. Mother is coming off her second in a row UTI and she was also bonkers. Has had medication changes now and about second round of meds she is calmer again. Will send a prayer up for your fil and hope the CT is normal. Don't borrow trouble as the saying goes as with this disease we have enough so wait till results are in to worry any further. God Bless.

Hi Clev-
UTIs are the devil. They can cause horrible behavior changes in the elderly, but especially the elderly with dementia. Hopefully, you are not dealing with that with your FIL. But, things have a way of working out. Perhaps its time for a family meeting with your husband and his brothers to discuss options for MIL and FIL. Maybe since FIL is acting up so badly, now is the time to suggest that plans get made.

Good luck, please keep us posted.

Mari

Thanks to all who posted. It is comforting to know we are not in this alone. We will be having a meeting with the brothers when we get a diagnosis/prognosis. Care is going to be a HUGE issue.
I'll post again when we know what's up.

Hang in there kiddo,,,,a family meeting is definately in order,,and whatever you do,,,don't you be the one to be the caregiver.

Your boat is full enough,,,let one of the other sibs step up to the plate,,or all of you start looking into the proper facility for placement,,if thats the best choice.

It could be the UTi is causing problems,,plus the fact that FIL is in a "strange place"....but a proper diagnosis is necessary to be able to know whats truly going on.

Be strong,,get him tested to see exactly is medically going on,,,and please keep us posted. Peace

quote:

...He has become delusional (talks to his long-dead sister a lot), yells, screams, and pounds his fist on the wall among other things. The psychiatrist saw him today and has ordered a CT scan for Monday. I'm afraid we may be looking at a dementia diagnosis for him (Lewy bodies maybe). How will we ever care for him with all his bad behaviors?...

Hopefully these symptoms will improve as his overall health improves a bit.

If not (and I bet these behaviors don't vanish entirely), know that the right medications are usually very effective in quelling delusions and extreme agitation like you're describing.

Most doctors treating dementia start with meds like Seroquel (an atypical antipsychotic) and Celexa (an antidepressant) and several others are commonly used as well. So if the first med tried doesn't work, there are others that can be substituted.

And the meds won't zombify him.

Just make sure that whoever's treating him is experienced in treating dementia - whether it's a neurologist or geriatric psychiatrist.

Update: Today we got the results of the CT scan, no abnormalities (although some age-related atrophy). We have another care conference on Thursday. He is still uncooperative, refusing to eat, drifting in and out (although not conversing with dead sister as much), insisting on going home, but doing nothing toward reaching that goal. This is the start of week 5 and we are just about at our wits ends.
MIL, who has AD, insists on going to the nursing home every day and then is very upset and fixated on "taking care of him and bringing him home now". We have 24/7 attendant care for her and today I called the agency and suggested maybe they could take her shopping instead of to the nursing home all the time. Perhaps, they could try to divert her attention to something else for awhile. Today she got it in her mind that he was coming home and called my husband (her son) at work and told him his dad had been discharged and to go pick him up. This was just a fantasy that she had made up. Unfortunately, one of the care attendants has been "feeding into the fantasies" instead of diverting her attention. If it's not one thing, it's another. Thanks for letting me vent. Maybe the psychiatrist will have some ideas on how we can deal with him (or perhaps he could medicate us

Well CleveR you still have your sense of humor and that helps. Hope that you have had talk with aattendant that is "feeding her fantasies". It is hard enough on you and family without Mother also becoming bigger issue. They are both lucky to have a supportive family that is looking for answers. I am sorry I do not have more advice but glad you are bring it back to the forum. We care here so keep us posted.
Sheryl