Published Jul 6, 2017
GRAB1
23 Posts
I have a 67 yo resident who has brain damage. Years ago they got an infection, or PNE and then became septic, their organs shut down and they've sustained brain damage.
Now it's been over 6 years caring for the resident... In the past two years I've noticed this resident making almost turrets type movements and sounds. In the beginning the sounds sounded like sadness or discomfort or annoyance.
I remember an aid assisting the resident with incontinence care, (this is when it really escalates). After the aid was done the resident continued to make uncomfortable noises (but they would shake their head "NO" to pain). The aid stated something along the line of, "I'm all finished, you can relax, the aid then stated something about the sounds the resident was making" at which time the resident said in a difficult slightly unclean manner, "I can't help it". We were so shocked, we felt our eyes had just been opened to what's been going on for this person... ONLY periodically can speak but it's tough for them, fades in and out and not always clear.
They are on liquid Oxy and Ativan around the clock... I feel they need something better. The resident is NOT in pain but will yell out loudly if not sedated -- doctors went with this "thinking" it was from pain. Any better ideas?