Friday, December 04, 2009 Nicole Winn asks

Q: Is the medication for Alzheimer's disease effective for Dementia patients?

My grandmother, who is 93; April 20, 1916, can tell you what month it is, but not the year. She thinks that $200.00 when it is $200,000.00. She says things like, " Now where is Ricky's room, when the last time she lived with my dad was well over 40 years ago.

She has been diagnosed with a molecular degenrative eye disease, and can not see the phone to dial 911. She can not see the buttons on a microwave or the stove to heat water. She is seeing 'People' in the house, that are NOT there; Even when she could see to dial 911, she would dial 911, tell the operator that people were in her house and would not leave. The police would come out- and no 'persons' were there. We have been charged ( to the tune of $1,125.00), By the Elk Grove Police Dept. for false calls.

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Answers (3)

Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide

12/ 5/09 8:50am

Hi Nicole,

Your grandmother's issues sound like they could stem from Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common type of dementia. There are mediations that can slow the progress of the disease in early stages. Whether your grandmother is at such a place is something that only her doctor can decide.

Good luck with this. We know it's very difficult for the family.

Carol

Nicole Winn

12/ 9/09 3:58pm

Thank you very much for your response as well. I do agree, to over medicate her fragile body would be a bad thing.

Very Truly Yours,

Nikki

Joseph

12/ 5/09 5:16am

Nicole,

There are many medications that are used to treat dementia symptoms. Your grandmother may benefit from a geropsychiatric evaluation and a drug therapy plan. The drug therapy plan has a lot of medication options, including the use of medicines in combination. If Alzheimer's drugs could be helpful for your grandmother's treatment, they would be included in the arsenal of available drugs. Seroquel (for example) is often prescribed for Alzheimer's patients and is sometimes used to treat ofther dementias.

There is a trial and error method to the application of these drugs. Some will have advese side-effects and others may be effective for a while. Dosages will need to be adjusted and the patient will require close monitoring for any problems. If you have the time, please read some of my Share Posts on these topics under Joseph's Share posts. They will give you some idea of what you might expect.

Note: The use of atypical anti-psychotic drugs to treat dementia may involve some serious risks. Some studies suggest that a higher death rate may be associated with the use of these drug therapies. Best Wishes! -- Joe

Nicole Winn

12/ 9/09 3:54pm

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. She is the kindest woman I have ever known, and I just want her to confortable and feel safe.

Very Truly Yours,

Nikki

Dorian Martin, Health Guide

12/ 6/09 5:28pm

Hi, Nicole,

I encourage you to take your grandmother to see her primary care physician in order to settle on medications. Having watched my parents' challenges in relation to various medications (including my mom's due to Alzheimer's) and the issues that they have had with some dosages and their interactions, I believe a medical professional needs be the one to make the call.

Take care and keep us posted!

Doiran

Nicole Winn

12/ 9/09 4:03pm

I, Thank you as well. All of responses have been helpful, and with such a foreign subject, I didn't know where to turn.

I appreciate you, taking the time to help me.

Very Truly Yours,

Nikki