my mom has had alzheimers now for about 5 yrs. she has become agitated, and will not take any of her meds, go to any of her docs, keeps walking off when becoming annoyed (quite easily annoyed) etc. she is 74. my dad is 83 and can no longer care for her. i am getting ho help or support from the family doc. the only answer i am getting is....take her to the ER. her fam doc said that is the only way she can have her medical issues addressed, in addition to have her meds adjusted and tAKEN for once, but HOW DO I GET HER TO THE HOPSITAL??? she won't go. she won't go anywhere, and she walks off if angry. i can't live like this. my mom would not want me to live like this. why is there no help for getting these pts to places where they can get help? PLEASE I need to know how to get her to the hospital. all of the alzheimer beds are full in the nursing homes. MNAY THANKS

Dear ellie10899,

I am very sorry to hear about your struggles with Alzheimer’s disease. It can be an amazingly frustrating time, and I hope you will find the answers you are searching for. In the middle to later stages of Alzheimer’s it is very common and normal for the person with the disease to become agitated. Many caregivers are faced with the hurt of the new behaviors of their loved one; behavior that is so different as compared to how they acted before the disease. Some tips to deal with the behavior you have described include, not arguing, speaking in simple concrete statements so as to not confuse them with logic or reasoning, and quickly changing the topic of focus to something pleasant.

When your Mom becomes agitated and walks away from you I recommend, at that time, you may want to consider the option of calling 911 and tell the operator you need assistance with your Mom. Explain that she is agitated, off her medication, and has Alzheimer’s disease. This is one safe option to get your Mom to the hospital.

There is a lot going on in your situation, and frequently in situations like this we highly recommend that you call and speak directly with an Alzheimer’s Care Consultant. They will be capable of gathering more information and provide you with the best recommendations possible. They can be reached 24 hours 7 days a week at 800.272.3900.

You are right, you do not deserve to live like this and your Mom would never want you to feel this way. Remember that you are not alone; there are others who are struggling with similar situations. You may want to read or post on our ‘Caregivers forum’ where you can meet other caregivers and find support. Often times it is best to reach out to the resources around you so you can get a break, and improve your well-being. Finding a homecare aid or asking for assistance from family or friends is sometimes a good place to start. Your local Alzheimer’s Association Chapter will be able to help locate resources in your area such as in-home help, caregiver support groups, and adult day programs.

Thank you for using the Alzheimer’s Association’s Online Community.

Best Regards,

Jaimie E.

Alzheimer’s Association
Care Consultant