Posted on 08/31/2021 12:07:55 PM PDT by LilFarmer
I would appreciate prayers for my FIL. He’s in his 80’s and has had dementia (vascular) for many years. Otherwise, he has been very healthy, fit, and active. He walks a mile/day. His main issues up have been memory loss and confusion.
He is in memory care and we’ve been told many times he is sweet and cooperative. We visit him 2-3 times a week and he’s been happy - he says he likes the caregivers, food, and the other residents. He has been very engaged in activities and with other residents.
But 2 weeks ago, he punched a resident out of the blue for no reason. He hasn’t been argumentative or difficult before or after that. He did not remember doing it immediately after it happened. They figured he must have been startled. Then, last week it happened again. No precipitating event and no recollection right away. He has memory loss but not like that - it was like a blackout. Other than the two random punches, they say he has been calm, cooperative, not agitated or anything.
The nurse sent him to the ER where they ran tests (CBC, urine, metabolic, hepatic, covid, ecg, drug tests, etc). All normal. The ER sent him to a mental health facility that specializes in dementia, and the doctor there already knows my FIL well (he’s also the doctor for the MC). We expected to hear that it was normal progression of dementia, but the doc said that it is unusual. He has been calm and cooperative there, and is not on any meds except an antibiotic in case he has a hidden infection. They are running more tests, neurological and scans. Another new symptom is he is dragging his foot, is unsteady, and can barely walk. He also has been very cold. This started around the same time as the first punch. He was scheduled to go back to MC this week, but the doctor is going to keep him over the weekend and try to figure out what is going on. Fortunately, they said he does know why he’s there. He still does not remember what happened but he believes them that it happened and he feels really bad.
Meanwhile, the MC just had their first case of covid, a staffer. So even if my FIL goes back he would be facing 2 weeks of being stuck in his room. Ugh. This facility normally allows family to come and go, and has not required vaccines for residents or visitors. I hope that doesn’t change permanently. The only requirement until recently is temp checks. Last week they started asking if visitors have been around covid and prohibited kids under 12 because covid has ramped up in our area.
Anyway, sorry, that is long. I appreciate your prayers.
Prayers up for your FIL.
Prayers lifted for your FIL
Prayers 🙏. Up❣
Prayers up
Thank you all for your prayers, it means so much to us.
My FIL pushed someone today at the treatment facility, so they are starting a medical approach. Have not heard back yet about the other tests. His gait is improving.
He did not know my husband today, thought he was his deceased son 😢 that was the first time he didn’t recognize someone.
Have Frank in my prayers—and your family too. Such a hard time for you all.
Oh my. Physical and mental. Hugs and good vibes.
Thank you for the update.
I will continue in prayer. I am so sorry you are going through this.
Hang in there and take one day at a time.
Prayers up.
Prayers for your father in law, that God will guide those helping him.
Another update. So Frank was started on an antipsychotic med a few days ago, but his behavior was still spiraling out of control. Yesterday, they had to give him a shot to calm him down as well.
Today, he a cough and they gave him a chest X-ray which showed pneumonia. It was sub clinical on his bloodwork. So, they took him off the antipsychotics and on an antibiotic. We thought they had already put him on antibiotics - but it may be a different one. Hoping and praying the antibiotic fixes everything and he doesn’t have to be on the other med again.
A praise item - the memory care, assisted living and independent living wings were all tested for covid (residents and staff) and all are negative. If everyone tests negative again on Tuesday, they can resume normal visitor hours 👍👍👍
Thanks for the update, on your dear FIL!!
Prayers continuing ... that this antibiotic clears up everything, including his striking out episodes.
I have a family member who became extremely agitated, and seemingly out of it, while in a nursing home, once. Turns out he had a bad UTI.
🙏🏻
Thank you for the update, and glad to hear they might be able to resume visiting soon. Will continue to pray for Frank to improve!
Thanks for the update.
Prayers for Frank and for all of you.
Thanks, we had that experience once before - he took a bad turn while at our house. His urine test was negative for UTI, but his doc at the time started him on antibiotics anyway. It turned him around. We mentioned this to the doc and he said he would start him on them last week, but maybe they were different than what is used for pneumonia.
Prayers continue.
Thank God for the COVID-negative tests.
Frank and all of you remain in my prayers. Thanks for the update. We care for all of you during this difficult time.
May the Good Lord lead and guide his doctors and medical team. Amen.x
Mor Prayers for Frank!
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