I would love to read a good history of pharmaceuticals in this country. Just when did we become convinced that it is cheaper to medicate than to provide actual care or change behaviors? How is it that we arrive at the numbers that tell us this is so? And why do we believe them?
There’s a great article in today’s NYT’s Science section about the over-prescribing of anti-psychotic medications for people with dementia. The article mentions a tripling of the sales of the drugs, up to $12 billion in sales from 4 billion in 2000. Sometimes, the anti-psychotics are the only thing that can relieve tremendous suffering. But too often, they are prescribed to control behaviors that might be changed with improvements in care. The author points out that just paying attention to people with dementia can improve their quality of life and behaviors. Yet the suggestion is that improving care practices is too expensive. Would it really be more than 12 billion?
Guess what: “paying attention to people with dementia” won’t generate any campaign contributions!
More later, but there is a recent video on my YT channel documenting my mother’s AWAKENING several weeks after taking her off Ditropan/Oxybutynin. I noticed some improvement in her use of words, directness of motion, smartass remarks, references to time…and finally asked “Mom have you noticed an improvement in your memory in the past week or so?”
Imagine my surprise when my mother from ten years ago looked at me and gave a speech. After regaining my footing, I said, “hold that thought” and grabbed my camera and interviewed her. It’s a recent YouTube video.
Dx’d with Alzheimers four years ago or so….Does she have it or NOT? She is learning new things slowly…or recalling how to count by fives, tell time, etc. It’s been only a few weeks.
I have instinctly pushed aside trying to recall past with her and concentrated on life in the present. Look forward to delving into this blog and learning more…See videos of things I have done with Mom. Also the AlzheimersCaregiver channel…more anon videos of her.