Did anyone see that thing on TV about the antipsychotic cocktail they give people with dementia so that they don't need so much looking after? Terrible. 
Status report Page 2,948
Quote: Gavin @ October 27 2010, 11:35 AM BSTOuch.
Ah it's not so bad!
Quote: Loopey @ October 27 2010, 12:52 PM BSTDid anyone see that thing on TV about the antipsychotic cocktail they give people with dementia so that they don't need so much looking after? Terrible.
That's a bit of a problem in the care industry- often carers will make a 'recommendation' to a GP that a service user is putting themselves in danger and get them prescribed knockout drugs. Such a shame. Depravation of Liberty doesn't always help senile demntia sufferers 
Quote: Loopey @ October 27 2010, 12:52 PM BSTDid anyone see that thing on TV about the antipsychotic cocktail they give people with dementia so that they don't need so much looking after? Terrible.
I didn't see the programme but I do know from personal experience that people who care for dementia sufferers are put under tremendous and often intolerable strain. Anything that helps them is a good thing in my book.
Quote: Nat Wicks @ October 27 2010, 12:59 PM BSTAh it's not so bad!
That's a bit of a problem in the care industry- often carers will make a 'recommendation' to a GP that a service user is putting themselves in danger and get them prescribed knockout drugs. Such a shame. Depravation of Liberty doesn't always help senile demntia sufferers
Absolutely and with cuts to services and training I wonder how they will be supported if this is stopped. A 'new initiative' day centre to help dementia patients and their carers was opened near me recently and closed again within a month. This will surely be even worse for young people with dementia who may lose any quality of life they might have had with appropriate care.
Quote: chipolata @ October 27 2010, 1:03 PM BSTI didn't see the programme but I do know from personal experience that people who care for dementia sufferers are put under tremendous and often intolerable strain. Anything that helps them is a good thing in my book.
I understand your point, but you can't compomise the rights of a service user for the sake of the staff. More should be done to help care staff, but this is most definitely not the way.
Quote: Nat Wicks @ October 27 2010, 1:23 PM BSTI understand your point, but you can't compomise the rights of a service user for the sake of the staff. More should be done to help care staff, but this is most definitely not the way.
Why? Basically at a certain point with dementia you're f**ked. Why not spend your last few months in a drug induced stupour? Hell, half the time I wish I was in a drug induced stupour.
Quote: chipolata @ October 27 2010, 1:03 PM BSTI didn't see the programme but I do know from personal experience that people who care for dementia sufferers are put under tremendous and often intolerable strain. Anything that helps them is a good thing in my book.
I can see your point. I have seen relationships break down and carers become ill themselves, but would hate to have a loved one sedated to make it easier for people to look after them. I am not talking about people who are violent and disruptive and a danger to themselves and others, but those who are included in this group for convenience and sedated to the point of being zombies.
Perhaps a balance would be a better solution - enough care, appropriate care, support for carer and cared for so both have the best quality of life that is possible for them. Like that's ever gonna happen!
A friend works with young people with dementia and used to really enjoy her job until there were staff cuts, more patients and no way everyone could be looked after well. So whether a professional or family carer or a patient, the situation is bad all round.
Quote: chipolata @ October 27 2010, 1:25 PM BSTWhy? Basically at a certain point with dementia you're f**ked. Why not spend your last few months in a drug induced stupour? Hell, half the time I wish I was in a drug induced stupour.
Because a lot of people who have senile dementia (let alone early onset) you can live with it for years and years, and really just because your awareness and memory isn't sufficient, doesn't mean your emotions aren't. Dementia sufferers are extremely prone to depression which is exasserbated by the use of physical and chemical restraint.
Quote: Loopey @ October 27 2010, 1:25 PM BSTI can see your point. I have seen relationships break down and carers become ill themselves, but would hate to have a loved one sedated to make it easier for people to look after them. I am not talking about people who are violent and disruptive and a danger to themselves and others, but those who are included in this group for convenience and sedated to the point of being zombies.
That's undoubtedly bad, but with scant resources I'm not quite sure how we as a nation can provide a more rounded care for these people.
Quote: Nat Wicks @ October 27 2010, 1:26 PM BSTBecause a lot of people who have senile dementia (let alone early onset) you can live with it for years and years, and really just because your awareness and memory isn't sufficient, doesn't mean your emotions aren't. Dementia sufferers are extremely prone to depression which is exasserbated by the use of physical and chemical restraint.
And it all costs money. Drugs offer a cheaper easier way of caring for people.
Robyn has to go to two whole libraries tomorrow!
Quote: Scatterbrained Floozy @ October 27 2010, 1:54 PM BSTRobyn has to go to two whole libraries tomorrow!
2! That's more then I've been to in my entire life.
Quote: Scatterbrained Floozy @ October 27 2010, 1:54 PM BSTRobyn has to go to two whole libraries tomorrow!
No half libraries? Be quick as they will probably all be closed down soon.
My granddad was suffering from dementia in the last few months of his life and my elders decided it was best to have him be heavily medicated. He was showing signs of aggression, but only at the people who always drove him crazy when he was well, and they were the ones who were with him all the time. I'd go to visit and he was fine, and then one of them would show up and he'd change. I understand how hard it is to be a caregiver for someone in that situation. My aunt is a nurse in a dementia unit and she said that the staff turnover is very high and they have had many people fired and/or arrested for overmedicating patients in order to keep them "out of it."
Kinda a bit excited about trip to London in Dec. It's gonna be a larff!
...Although I have no idea where I'm going.
When are you in London?