Do you have an elderly parent, grandparent, or grandchild at home? Only those who have done so know how difficult it is to take care of someone who is increasingly forgetful and sometimes acts like a child. Sometimes they scream, fuss, or try to leave the house without sleeping. At times like these, we suddenly think, "Oh, now we have to take him to the hospital." So we quickly take him to the hospital's Emergency Unit (ETU). This is not only true in our country, but in many countries around the world. But is it really a good idea to go to the ETU all the time? Let's talk about this today.
What does a new study say about this?
A recent large medical study conducted in a foreign country has investigated this. That is, why are such large numbers of adults with dementia, a progressive memory loss condition like Alzheimer's disease, brought to emergency rooms?
The findings of this study are truly sobering. They say that bringing patients to the ETU in this way indicates that the family caring for the patient is under too much pressure to handle and they cannot think of anything else to do. Simply put, it may be a way of expressing their helplessness.
Why do you always have to go to ETU like this?
According to the study, there are two main reasons why dementia patients are brought to the ETU. These reasons were found to be twice as common among these patients as among the average elderly person without dementia.
| The main reason for applying to ETU | What does this simply mean? |
|---|---|
| Behavioral Disturbances | This means suddenly becoming angry, sad, anxious, or sleeping all day and staying awake at night (day-night reversal). This is not the patient's fault, but a condition that occurs due to changes in the brain caused by the disease. |
| Accidents | Due to memory loss and confusion, accidents like falling and bumping into things can happen frequently. At times like these, the family gets scared and takes the patient to the hospital. |
The most important thing to learn from this study is that these behavioral changes cause significant stress and strain on caregivers, and they see ETU as the only solution.
What are the risks of going to ETU frequently?
You might think, "Okay, what happens if that happens? That's good." But there are actually several hidden risks to this.
Unnecessary tests and scares
A person with dementia can't exactly say what's wrong with them. They're confused. So doctors have to do a lot of tests to find the cause of the problem. For example:
- Urinalysis
- Head CT Scan
Studies have shown that people with dementia are much more likely to have these tests than the average person. Imagine how scary it would be to put an already scared and confused elderly person into a big machine and have a CT scan. Some of these tests may be unnecessary .
Risky drug use
This is the most dangerous thing. Sometimes in the ETU, a group of powerful drugs called antipsychotic drugs have to be administered to calm a patient who is acting agitated. This is sometimes called 'chemical restraint'. It is like giving the patient medication and forcing them to sleep.
Research has shown that giving these drugs to adults increases their risk of death . Therefore, this is something that should be done with great caution.
So what should we do? What is the best way?
The best answer to this question is to understand that the ETU is not the right place to manage these types of behaviors. When we think of dementia, we think of memory loss. But in reality, it is these behavioral changes, such as anxiety, agitation, and sleep problems, that put the most stress on the patient and you as their caregiver.
So there are a few things we need to do:
- See a regular doctor: Talk to your family doctor or the doctor the patient visits regularly about this. A doctor who has a good understanding of the patient's condition can inform you about things you can do at home to control these behaviors, what medications to give (if necessary), and their correct dosage.
- Understand the reason for the behavior: Try to find out why the patient suddenly becomes agitated. Maybe it's because of loud noises. Maybe it's because of loneliness. Or maybe it's a certain time of day. If you find this reason, you can avoid those things.
- Create a calm environment: Always keep the home environment calm and orderly. Following the same routine every day helps a lot for these patients.
- Ask for help too: Don't go about carrying this burden alone. Involve other family members in this. Your mental health is also very important. It is essential for you to get some rest.
- When should you go to the ETU? You should only go to the ETU in a real emergency . For example, in the event of a serious fall, a broken bone, signs of a stroke, or severe shortness of breath. If there is a change in behavior, your first step should be to talk to your regular doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Dementia is not just about memory loss. Behavioral changes are a major part of this disease.
- If your adult is frequently having to be taken to the ETU due to behavioral problems, it means that you (the caregiver) need support.
- Frequent visits to the ETU can expose the patient to unnecessary, frightening tests and risky medications.
- Develop a close relationship with a permanent physician (doctor) who knows the patient's condition well. Find solutions for behavior management at home.
- Your physical and mental health as a caregiver is also very important. Don't carry this burden alone, seek support from family and, if necessary, professional help.
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