Posted by cait on April 18, 1999, at 20:56:03
In reply to Re: Is it helping? Celexa,Risperdal,Ativan..., posted by cait on April 17, 1999, at 20:45:46
> Feeling at my wit's end, I called my dad's primary care doc. who recommended that we admit my dad to the "Senior Care Unit" (for age 65+ and a locked psychiatric wing) for evaluation by a psychiatrist from Columbus, a Dr. Hayden.
>
> The "therapy" they are using requires my dad to wait "x" number of minutes before undertaking certain activities. For example, before he can brush his teeth, he must look at the toothbrush and toothpaste for five min. (then later will increase to 10 min.) before he may brush his teeth. He has a limited amount of time to complete his oral hygiene. Dr. Hayden explained to me that this therapy will gradually increase my father's anxiety so much that it will eventually erase from the other end the anxiety that causes him to engage in certain activities for hours on end. Is anyone familiar with this type therapy?
>
> The new medications are: Celexa 20 mg every morning, Ativan 0.5 mg at bedtime, Risperdal 0.5 mg at bedtime. Anyone willing to venture an opinion on this combination?
>
> Right now my dad is pretty depressed at being removed from his home and "locked up" where he is pretty bored. I asked him if he thought the therapy was helping (5th day), and he replied that it was not helping him but maybe it was helping my mother and me. Gosh, did I feel bad.
>
> Just wanted to let you know what is happening, and hoping to hear from some of you.
>
> Thanks, caitDr. Bob,
This program that I mentioned above must be operating on a shoe-string budget and probably lacks appropriate staff. My poor dad is in worse shape now than when he was admitted on Monday.A staff member reported to me that my father was having difficulty sleeping: he did not go to sleep until 1:30 AM Wed. and 2 AM Thurs. When I questioned the RN on staff last night about the medications and inability to sleep, he checked the records (which are official, legal documents) and reported to me that the nursing notes indicate that my dad was in bed and asleep by 10-10:30 EVERY night.
My dad's ONE goal for Saturday and Sunday was to get to his meals on time. There were no other activities, and he has never been encouraged to get any exercise by walking up and down the halls (physical exercise is critical to his maintaining the use of his left leg). I find all of this VERY disturbing. I doubt that the psychiatrist (who travels down from Columbus 3 days a week) has full knowledge of the lack of mental and physical care given to these patients.
Should my alarm bells be ringing this loudly? I am quite concerned. Would you be kind enough to post an opinion (just an opinion!)? Really need a ballast in this storm.
Regards,
cait
poster:cait
thread:4191
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/5031.html