My mother is 95 . Five years ago my father died and she ended up with bad UTI infection. She went to rehab and 5 days later had a stroke. She has had quite a few UTI's in those years. This last year has been the worst. UTI plus sepsis. While she was in rehab 6 months ago she was put on lexapro and has had sundowners since. Dr. took her off lexapro and sundowners got better then got another UTI and got worse again in rehab now and got another UTI in rehab and sundowners worse than ever. Is it the antibiotics, the environment, or has she had Alzheimer's for years and is just getting worse? I am suppose to take her home next week and not sure what to expect. I have never had to deal with this before and I am alone. This scares me.
Before your mom comes home, ask to speak with the social worker at the rehab. Everything she needs as far as home care should be ordered, delivered and set up wherever she will be staying If there are lifts involved, you should be trained how to use them. Aides and therapy should be scheduled. Meds should be ordered and delivered.
Alzheimers is a progressive disease. With my mom, when she had a UTI she got much worse really fast. After the antibiotics kicked in, she became more calm but still confused and delusional.
Make use of the people at the facility for help. That’s what they’re there for.
You can refuse to take mom home saying she needs more care than you can provide. Many have done it. As the disease progresses it will become more difficult and impossible for one person to care for. Maybe now is the time. You have provided care for five years, that is nothing to feel guilty about. You have given plenty, much more than most.
There are very supportive people on this site. There are also hotlines you can call as well.
Lexapro is typically used to treat depression and/or anxiety. When it was discontinued, was something else offered for those things? Just because one drug produces side effects doesn't mean every drug will.
This is indeed scary. If you weren't at least a little scared about being responsible for her well-being, I'd say you weren't being realistic!