Dimentia in an aging parent

[Michael Fanshel]

My father is 78  years old and has just been rreleased to home care after 8 1/2 weeks in the hospital for various ailments.  He initially fell in the shower and after being admitted to the hospital he spiraled downward refusing to eat or drink much, assigned to bed rest, and then becoming too weak and dizzy to walk.  His lithium levels for his bi-polar disorder became toxic and he became more irrational and impulsive.  He has received a pacemaker and is on meds to monitor his blood pressure levels. He has undergone radiation treatment for prostate cancer and seems to have that under control with estrogen injections. He was admitted to the psyc ward for observation when his behavior became disruptive to the other patients.  

Now that he is home, we have a full time companion to assist him with his recovery and costodial care.  His incontinence interrupts my 80 year old mother's evening rest.  He has become increasingly agitated and impulsive.  The lithium is being replaced by depakote and ripiradol.  CAT scans have ruled out mini strokes.  

Is there a way to check blood levels for a dimentia (dementia) onset? Can this be better controlled with medication? Are ther other meds which could better replace lithium (which worked so well for over 20 years for him) instead of Depakote?  Are there side effects?  I think we need to consider a nursing home for him, but my mother is still quite active and not ready for assisted living, yet I don't want her to live alone. Any suggestions?

[HFHS MD - RG]

Dementia, though, common to the elderly population does not present the way your father does in a short period of time (8 1/2 weeks).

There is no accurate test Dementia. However, because of the other medications he is taking for his other physical ailments, drug interactions is a good possiblitity that your father is experiencing. Also because of his aging body, his usual dose of Lithium in the past may be too much for him now. The only medications which are FDA-approved for Bipolar Disorder are lithium and depakote. Other medication used for this disorder is Tegretol. Other medications undergoing research to test their effectiveness for this illness are neurontin, lamictal, topamax.

Your father's medication and dosages should be reviewed and he should closely monitored especially when he is taking the medications as he has a risk of taking either the wrong medication or the wrong dosage. A re-evaluation with a psychiatrist would benefit him.

You may want to consider assisted living for seniors which means they live in a place for seniors and have their own place but has staff available to help them with their daily living. This is different from nursing home as the residents live independently and come and go as they please but has a staff helping them out if necessary.

You may inquire regarding assisted living for seniors in your local library or civic center.

[Fred]

What is dementia ?
What cuases dementia?
how can it be treated?

[Tammy Shepherd]

Our grandfather has been diagnosed with dimentia (dementia).  He is 84 and up until 4 months ago he showed signs of aging.  These last two months, especially the last two weeks since being in the  hospital he has gotten so much worse.  He cannot go to the bathroom anymore[has a cath, and needs to get enemas],  he smile and is aware of us being in the room but cannot speak above a whisper.  His sodim level is high, he is running a temperature, cannot eat, and they want to put a feeding tube in him.  He was a very strong man and has said before that he never wanted anything to keep him alive.  Can you please give me some help on what he is going through.  Thank you,  Tammy

[Peter Green]

My wife had a brain anyerism 2 1/2 years ago and had successful surgery at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC.  She then entered Gaylord Rehabilitation hospital in Connecticut and was released after 2 months, on the road to a wonderful recovery.  During the past year, however, her recovery has reversed.  She has no energy, no get up and go, no personal initiative and is slipping. Is this dimentia (dementia)?  Her neurologist at Yale seems puzzled and her psycologist says she's not depressed.  Any thoughts?  Please help.

[mleon]

my father is 74 years old, he's a widow (5 years in oct), he was just remarried in july and seems to be very happy.. about a year ago his new wife noticed that my dad would talk to himself but would actually insult himself, using profanity (my father never used a swear word infront of us).   Lately his new wife noticed that when my dad is alone he begins having conversations like he is talking to someone, to the point that he even laughs like the other person said something funny.  She also noticed that he is having trouble with numbers where he transposes the numbers or just doesn't write down the numbers that are given to him. We are very concerned and do not know how to address this problem.  My dad has been a drinker for many years, he is a social alcoholic and we have had many confrontations with him where he has sworn never to drink again, but he continues, now with his age it doesn't take much to get him pretty tipsy.  At first it seemed that the day after he would drink too much is when he would insult himself when he was alone, but now it seems to happen more often.  Any suggestions as to how to address this with him? does this sound like Dimentia (dementia)?
please advise.