Medications and Overmedications

I have a client in a very classy nursing home where she has been for three years. She was very agitated and intrusive when first admitted, and had been seen by a couple psychiatrists who put her on various medications. I have been fighting ever since to lower them. The last time I got them lowered was about six months ago.

I finally called the family physician and asked him to lower them. The psychiatrists had been afraid to do so. He lowered them.

Guess what? No difference.

Well, no, there was a difference. Her balance is better. She is eating better. She is more alert.

There is no difference in the way the home is able to manage here care.


I think to myself, how much would she be on if I hadn't been pushing? Why don't they follow this better?

I actually know why--it is because it is easier not to. It is easier not to really and truly individualize care and provide the best care possible.

That is why people need someone like what I do or a family member to do it.

Aging and Dying

A very interesting article in the New York Times about choosing to end one's life, when that choice is not arising out of depression. From The New York Times:

A Heartfelt Appeal for a Graceful Exit, by Jane Brody

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/health/05brod.html?ex=1359867600&en=addbc5016ece53c7&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Jellies, Jams and the Frail Elderly

This is the email I just sent to the Smuckers Company. I like their jams and jellies:

I have just had the pleasure of trying to open a jar of your jam. I am a 53 year old man who works out in the gym about five times a week, doing weights and cardio, and it was still an effort. When I am not at the gym, I am an eldercare consultant and Geriatric Care Manager.

Do you have any idea of what it would be like to be disabled, or frail and elderly and try to open one of the bottles of your jams and jellies?

I don't know why you can't figure out a way to package these things so that they would not present a challenge to the disabled and elderly.

I am posting this on my blog.

Thank you.

Peter Silin, MSW, RSW
Diamond Geriatrics, Inc.