Keeping this short as I already typed once & forgot to post. 80 yr. old mom (undiagnosed as Alz, but if so alternates between stage 5 & 6). Lives in Asst'd Living facility. Had a couple of very bad spells over last 2 years that lasted a few weeks -- disoriented, wandering, confused, extremely agitated, frightened. Got her to geriatrics doc after last horrible spell and he put her on a couple miracle drugs (for anti-anxiety and anti-dep). She was great for a couple months...even reading paper again (but still awful short term memory throughout good/bad times). Miracle has worn off and drug changes aren't having much effect. (new drugs not tried just increased doses of current -- drugs are martzipane (sp?) and seroquel.) Really bad again over last few weeks.. My sis checked out one alz. facility (not many in relatively small city)and all patients phsyciall seemed to be so much worse off -- in bed, in wheelchairs. Mom's issues are almost all mental, but Asst'd Living not equipped to deal with her memory/aginataiton issues. Sister (local caregiver) is at wit's end as she spends almost all time off work dealing with Mom. My speculation is an alz. facility would be much better equipped for issues we are facing and also help alleviate some stress on sis. Thoughts? Advice? on Alz. facilities and/or meds to try? (Namenda and Aricipt did not do well at all with).

Depends on where you live. You can check out ratings for skilled nursing facilitities/nursing homes on the medicare.gov website. Another couple of good sites:

www.alz.org
www.caregiver.org

At this point, I think you really need to talk to her doctor about meds if nothing is working. My dad couldn't tolerate Namenda or Aricept. Hope you find something.

Peppa