When your loved one goes to the emergency room (ER) with aggressive or agitated behavior, doctors may give medications to help keep them safe and calm. As an adult child or family member, it’s important to understand what these medications are, why they’re used, and what to expect when your loved one returns to the nursing home.
Why Are These Medications Used?
In the ER, staff may use certain medicines to quickly calm someone who is very agitated or aggressive. These include:
- Sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs (like Ativan, Valium, or Versed) to help relax and calm.
- Antipsychotics (like Haldol, Zyprexa, Geodon, or Risperdal) to manage severe agitation or confusion.
- Sometimes, a combination of these medicines is used for quick control.
The choice depends on your loved one’s health, the situation, and how quickly calming is needed. These medicines are usually meant for short-term use.
What Are the Risks?
Older adults, especially those with dementia, are more sensitive to these medications. Possible side effects include:
- Drowsiness, dizziness, or trouble walking (which can lead to falls)
- Confusion or sudden changes in thinking
- Breathing problems (especially with sedatives)
- Worsening of other health issues (like Parkinson’s or heart problems)
- Higher risk of death with some antipsychotics, especially in dementia
- Dependence or withdrawal if used for a long time
- Hiding symptoms of other serious illnesses
What Happens When Returning to the Nursing Home?
When your loved one comes back to the nursing home after a hospital stay, the staff will:
- Carefully review all medications given in the hospital.
- Decide which medicines are still needed and which can be reduced or stopped.
- Communicate with the hospital team to make sure everyone agrees on the plan.
- Create a safe schedule to reduce or stop certain medicines, if needed.
- Watch your loved one closely for any problems as medicines are changed.
- Keep detailed records of all changes.
- Involve you and your family in decisions about medication changes.
What Can You Do?
- Ask the nursing home staff to explain any new medications and why they’re needed.
- Stay involved in care decisions and ask about plans to reduce or stop medications.
- Watch for changes in your loved one’s alertness, movement, or behavior, and report concerns.
- Remember, your questions and input are important for your loved one’s safety and well-being.
If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to talk to the care team—they’re there to help you and your loved one through these transitions.
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Encounter Telehealth specializes in geriatric psychiatric healthcare. Partnering with senior living communities, Encounter practitioners’ focus on psychiatric medication management and are well-versed in these sedatives and antipsychotics.
Contact Encounter Telehealth to learn more about our senior-focused mental healthcare.
Check out our Video on How We Partner with Senior Living Communities to provide specialized mental healthcare and medication management.
