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At 07:44 PM 6/19/97 -0400, you wrote: >This is my first time writing. I have only been subscribed to the group >for 3 days, but have already learned some things. I am sole caregiver >(our closest family is 700 miles away) to my 87 year old grandmother with >Parkinson's complicated by multi-infarct dementia. Recently, she was >placed in a nursing home for rehab after a fall. Since she has been in >the nursing home she has been having a lot of trouble with being >disoriented, confused and some hallucinations. Also, she complains she >hates to see night come because she has horrible nightmares and cries and >calls out. I noticed it was mentioned that you need to eat something >with the slow-release sinemet. Since she has been in the nursing home >they have changed the times at which she takes her meds. She was taking >them at 8:00 am and 5:00 pm with breakfast and dinner, but now she takes >them at 8:00 am and 8:00 pm (8:00 pm without food). Could this be part >of the problem? The other thing I wanted to ask about is that I had >noticed many of you mentioning your neurologists. At this time my >grandmother is under the care of a family practioner and I am wondering >if perhaps a neurologist would be better able to help her? This would not >have occurred to me without this group. Your opinions would be greatly >appreciated. Thank you so much. Lori Bauer >............................................................................... Lori, I make a lot of presentations on Parkinsons to nursing homes and I have learned that they don't understand Parkinson's at all. Usually their medication schedule is set up to benifit the staff not the patient. I think what you need is a conference between family, staff and doctor . Yes by all means get a neurologist and not only that but one that specializes in movement disorders such as Parkinson's. A good presentation or in-service on Parkinson's given by a person with the disease would be a good avenue to persue as well. Contact your PD support group for help on that. Good Luck, and if I can be of further help I'll certainly try. Russ Ahlstrom [log in to unmask] 52/31