EVELYN

Hi all, I am CDS specialist RN and MoCA accredited practitioner. I run my own dementia Family and care givers workshops. I have a lady who's mom is going to be diagnosed by a gereantologist, in about 3 months time, due to the long waiting period fo an appointment. She has been treated by a physician specialist, who has done virtually zero for her. I was called last evening by the daughter, who is suffering from burnout..... her mom cannot focus for longer that 10 minutes at a time. Her specialist physician has prescribed seroquil for nights and is now suggesting that seroquil be given twice a day....this makes the dear old lady so sleepy and she does not want to do any activity during the day, except the daily dressing, bathroom duties and eating. Her appetite has changed and she is refusing to drink liquids. She seems to start sundowning from around 2 pm daily and blames her daughter for everything in her life, when things go wrong. Keeps asking for her deceased husbands, and is starting to get aggressive. her duaghter is a schoolteacher and has many games, puzzels, and activities for all ages, but her mom cannot concentrate long enough... I have refered her to a gereantologist, who I find is the best for assessessing and treating dementia. I would like any suggestions to help my clients find a way forward. even sorting washing, or peeling potatoes, or doing the easiest household chores is an issue. I have as yet not see the ladies, as I am waiting for the outcome of the MRI and cognitive assessments to come through from the gereantologist, once my client has been to see her. I think she could have an underlying delirium issue, like dehydration, UTI, or an underlying health issue that has caused her to have this kind of continuous behaviour. I have asked the daughter to get her GP to see her before seeing the gereantologist..... Any suggestions would be most welcome....