Sometimes, as a full time caregiver, I become so distracted by work, worry and weariness that I get really stupid. It happened again over the holidays. Sometimes the obvious problem can mask an even bigger problem. I focused on what I thought was THE problem (changing pain medications) and missed that the patient had developed an infection. Both of these affect the mental state of dementia patients by increasing confusion and triggering psychiatric symptoms. I wish I would have have figured out the situation sooner, but BJ is now in the hospital and doing better as we begin the New Year. ~Jack
