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Suggest Treatment For Confusion And Weakness In A Person With Dementia
Question: My 92 year old father has had dementia for about a year. About two months ago we noticed a slow but steady decline. This past week he was found on the floor no fractures but he has been very confused, weak, listless . Not eating much and sleeping more. Tested for uti which came back negative. What is happening? All we get from caregiver is we wouldn't want to put him through any tests. And suggest palliative care.
Brief Answer:
Yes at this age palliative care is the only option
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern for your father.
Dementia is the disease where no cure is available. We can just delay the progress. Earlier the treatment more the time it takes in reaching terminal stage. He is of 92 and his condition is worsening and showing delirious symptoms. This is suggestive of worsening neurological condition and if we go for any major intervention he may suffer more so better to go for palliative care.
Let me know what medicines are going on and since when so I may comment further.
Regards,
Dr Chintan Solanki.
Yes at this age palliative care is the only option
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern for your father.
Dementia is the disease where no cure is available. We can just delay the progress. Earlier the treatment more the time it takes in reaching terminal stage. He is of 92 and his condition is worsening and showing delirious symptoms. This is suggestive of worsening neurological condition and if we go for any major intervention he may suffer more so better to go for palliative care.
Let me know what medicines are going on and since when so I may comment further.
Regards,
Dr Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
He is actually on no medication. Up until his first fall on his 91st birthday he had lived on his own. No major illnesses. He had mild dementia before the fall but was showing signs he was coming to need additional care. Everyday we visit it seems he is declining more than the day before.
Brief Answer:
Treatment for dementia should be started at early stage
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for follow up.
If he had mild dementia just before a year and no medication before that he should be really healthy person at age of 90.
Dementia should be treated at initial stage to get some benefit. Considering his age it is likely vascular dementia and it has progressed much faster as he is above 90.
There is no specific treatment yet available in such case where we can get some improvement.
If any other physical cases like fever or diarrhea has caused delirious symptoms, they can be corrected. Of course his doctor had likely ruled out such possibilities. After concluding that this is pure neurological event, doctor has decided going for palliative care.
I wish nature-God may help him to stabilize somewhat.
Take care.
Treatment for dementia should be started at early stage
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for follow up.
If he had mild dementia just before a year and no medication before that he should be really healthy person at age of 90.
Dementia should be treated at initial stage to get some benefit. Considering his age it is likely vascular dementia and it has progressed much faster as he is above 90.
There is no specific treatment yet available in such case where we can get some improvement.
If any other physical cases like fever or diarrhea has caused delirious symptoms, they can be corrected. Of course his doctor had likely ruled out such possibilities. After concluding that this is pure neurological event, doctor has decided going for palliative care.
I wish nature-God may help him to stabilize somewhat.
Take care.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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