What can be done??

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I have a question that maybe can be answered here. My gma had to be put in a ltc facility about a year ago. She has always had mental issues (severe panic attacks, agorophobia, "imaginary" symptoms, etc.) and once her husband died she basically laid down and didn't get out of bed. This caused her muscles to atrophy, etc. and now she really can't get up out of bed. She had a "helper" but the helper ended up stealing from her, threatening her , slapping her, etc.

so off to LTC she went. (no one else in the family could physically or emotionally take care of her, she is about 170 lbs. of dead weight. She did not even attempt to get up, walk around, leave the house, or even watch TV She also had a habit of calling 911 sometimes several times a night for things like turning down the a/c, help to go to the bathroom , etc.)

Since being in the facility she still refuses to get out of bed and is having panic attacks. She was on valium for 35 years (!!) but had to be taken off of it cold turkey because it was damaging her intestines.

The nurses have suggested she listen to relaxing music, etc. but she just doesn't seem interested. I don't think the ltc facility is necessarily a bad one. I do think she is severely depressed, has OCD, and horrible panic attacks. She has been having these attacks for probably 60 years. It is just so sad. Are mental issues so severe common in ltc, or is it mostly your "run of the mill" depression and dementia ??

She is still very sharp and very kind (not combative at all, if anytying she is passive) but the anxiety is just like something I have never seen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How about obtaining a psych consult?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i agree with donmom....

psyche consult asap.

and you can even ask when the psychiatrist is coming so you can meet him/her there and give a detailed hx.

or you can even ask for his number.

whoever your gma's pcp is, have them order it.

talk with her doc.

it sounds like overwhelming depression also.

wishing her peace, poor lady.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks, earle, I am praying for a miracle !

They called a psych. about 2 mos. ago and it took him 2 weeks to get there. When he did get there, he went to the wrong patients room (actually, the patient had died!) and so he was never to be seen again. We have the nurses call him as much as possible but they claim he never returns their calls. My mom has called him too, no dice.

A huge part of the problem was she has had this depression/anxiety/ ocd her entire lilfe and no one ever got her help. Everyone just tried to bandaid it (going on trips, shopping, etc.) or they treated physical symptoms. They treated her panic attacks like a heart condition for years and years. I guess back then they didn't know any better.

I have had slight anxiety a few times in my life and I can say it is about a 4 on a scale of 1-10. I am sure hers is THOUSANDS times worse ! I can't imagine being "trapped" in my own mind/body like that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i find it unconscionable that psyche has not returned anyone's calls.

it might not hurt to put in a call to the DON, as a concerned but irate family member, who demands that your gma get the help she needs.

this could constitute neglect and she needs an advocate.

texas, nurses and your mom have been calling to no avail?

i think it's time to start strong arming the powers to be, or get in touch with the ombudsmen for the facility. their number should be posted for public viewing.

as you said, gma is a prisoner in her own mind and body.

shame on them.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks, earle. I will pass the advice on. I really appreciate it. I will keep you posted.

Is this a common thing in the elderly ?? Have you ever seen anyone just NOT get up out of bed ??? (she won't go to church services, phy. therapy, or anything-- just lays in bed 24/7.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks, earle. I will pass the advice on. I really appreciate it. I will keep you posted.

Is this a common thing in the elderly ?? Have you ever seen anyone just NOT get up out of bed ??? (she won't go to church services, phy. therapy, or anything-- just lays in bed 24/7.)

as a nurse, i would not allow someone to stay in bed 24/7.

i contract with them and let them go in baby steps, i.e., oob for a couple of hours at first and slowly build up.

also put them in a gc where they can recline and feel comfortable.

and will put gc right outside their room so they're not overstimulated, anxious or intimidated by too many people around.

99% of the time, they do take an interest in their environment, as long as they're feeling safe.

other times, i've brought fearful residents up near me so they can always see me and feel safe that way.

but a therapeutic relationship obviously needs to first be established between nurse and patient.

gma being in bed all day is just adding to feelings of isolation.

not healthy at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do think the nurses have tried, I know they really encourage (almost force) her to go to PT. At first she was going, now i think she has pretty much told them to bite her ! Just last week one of the nurses called and suggested she get a cd player with serene music. so my mom bought her one and took it up there to her. I think having something on her head just annoyed her (ocd). She is very ocd. I remember she used to have to have all of her medicine bottles turned a certain way, etc. and if they weren't you would think the world was going to end.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What is really, really sad is she had a roomate a couple of mos. ago who she really liked, was talkign to, and was making friends with. It was the first positive thing that had happened in her life in years! but she recently moved to a different facility. It is almost too sad to talk about.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If the facility can't get the psyche back in to see her, file a complaint against him with the local Medical Association. Did he get paid by Medicare for his visit to her? if he didn't see her and charged for it, that is fraud. Has the facility had the primary MD try other antianxiety meds?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

She is actually on medicaid. She was set up pretty good (had about $3000 a month coming in from retirement, social security, and other things my gp. had set up for her etc.) but still could not afford round the clock care , which is what she needed to have. Like I said none of us were capable physically to take care of her. Shehad to basically loose everything she had to get into the nursing home.

she has beenon other meds. She was on a couple of others but complained they made her dizzy and a couple of times shewas even hallucinating.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

perhaps she would be a good candidate for some type of pet therapy,if her facility has that available.you might be surprised

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment