Posted by ElaineM on August 15, 2006, at 16:07:37
In reply to Suggestions on coping with Aunt G?, posted by crazy teresa on August 15, 2006, at 12:56:33
I was thinking that it could sound a little like depression. I've had an older relative who decided after their spouse died that they were done with life. Didn't want to eat, see a dentist or doctor anymore, no more medication, wouldn't change outfits, sometimes wouldn't even move from a chair (and would sleep sitting up in their clothes). The way it was justified was, "Why bother with any of it. You don't know what it's like to lose someone you've spent your entire life with. There's no point." But depression could still occur without a prior loss.
My family's in the process of getting her in an assisted living facility, and eventually geriatric psychiatry sessions will be brought in.
Have you considered having mandatory sessions? (though I'd advise you to not actually say the word "psychiatrist") Also, sometimes older relatives who live away from family "act out" to force more contact, force more visits and whatnot. Before it got bad, my relative used to call saying she was unwell because she knew that if she said that that someone would be out the next day to take her to the doctors. Does your aunt get regular visits from family members?
Is your aunt on ADs? It is so important to make sure that food and medication gets in. Does she eat on her own (like her own little goodies) and just not tray / dining hall meals, or is it like a hunger strike? If she is violent with staff they may look to sedate her to deliver medicines.
It's so horrible to go through. THough mostly sad -- especially when they seem to still have high level of mental functioning. I wonder about what Tamar said about Dementia. We were able to rule that out by setting up a geriatric neurological assessment. Perhaps you could mention that idea to the facility's staff.
Sorry you're going through this. It's not easy. We always used to just keep in mind that if it's hard for us to deal with, it's got to be infinately more frustrating or confusing for them to be living through.
Good luck, I hope both your family, and your Aunt G get some relief.
EL
poster:ElaineM
thread:676696
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060808/msgs/676754.html