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Lori Bauer 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 BauerLori, I am a social worker for APDA. One of my most frequently asked questions from care givers centers around the issue of medication in nursing homes. It is my prejudice that nursing homes frequently adapt medication schedules to meet their scheduling needs, not the needs of the patient. The things you mentioned could have such and effect. A family practitioner is a good person to have on your side, but it takes a neurologist who is a movement order specialist to manage the disease adequately. Seek a consult with such a neurologist as soon as possible. You may have to take your grandmother to this physician because it is uncommon for physicians to make "house calls." Lynda Hendricks