My loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is experiencing a lot of agitation. Could this be caused by their medication?
Agitation is a common place phenomenon in many of our daily lives. We experience it while we are stuck in traffic, at the office, and in our homes. However, fortunately for us, we are often able to identify this feeling and cope with it in a (hopefully) constructive way. But, for the person with Alzheimer’s disease, this process becomes a nearly insurmountable obstacle. It is not uncommon for a person with Alzheimer’s disease to experience difficulty when they are trying to understand or express their feelings. This in turn perpetuates the sense of agitation and strains the relationship between the person with Alzheimer’s and their caregiver who is unable to fully comprehend the situation.
Agitation can stem from a number of causes. However, the sudden onset of agitation or a marked change in its intensity could be related to a change in their medicinal regiment - it is not uncommon for people to experience some side effects when changing their doses or changing prescriptions altogether. Consider keeping a record of these types of changes in your loved one and do not hesitate to share your findings with their doctor. If a change is sudden and dramatic, seek the assistance of your physician immediately - but remember, you should not start, stop, or change a medicinal regiment without first consulting your doctor as this may result in a number of complications.
For more information on Alzheimer’s, or any of your other Colorado elder law questions, click here to view our Wills and Trusts 101 seminar or call 303-758-0680 to get in touch with one of our Denver elder law attorneys.