Therapist in NOVA for person w/ Alzheimer’s

[Anonymous]

My mom has ALZ but is highly variable in presentation. On “good days,” when she’s more with it, she is severely depressed to the point of suicidal ideation and is in a great deal of emotional pain. She is maxed out on meds and needs someone to talk to, as she had been in therapy most of her life. I’m looking for a therapist who works with elderly and memory issues. Ideally, someone who can make house calls. I realize I’m looking for a unicorn but welcome any recommendations.

[Anonymous]

No recs but sending virtual hugs. It's so hard.

[Anonymous]

So sorry.

[Anonymous]

You could ask a care counselor for recommendations:

https://www.aginglifecare.org/ALCAWEB/ALCAWEB/Education/Care_Manager_Certification.aspx

They can be particularly creative too with ideas that might help. (Other than therapy)

You can also sort by “issues” on psychology today to find specialists in treating dementia patients. I found my mom’s therapist this way.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/maryland?category=alzheimers

Also, I’m very sorry. Hugs. I’m there with you.

[Anonymous]

House calls is unlikely. Too much liability if she makes false accusations or falls. Virtual is possible. You could do a search. Does she have someone who can help her access it?

[Anonymous]

A therapist should not take this on. You need a geriatric psychiatrist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A therapist should not take this on. You need a geriatric psychiatrist.

This. What stage of Alzheimers? Once it's past early, you calm someone with distraction, music, even art, not with talk therapy which requires a certain level of reasoning skills and short term memory. Meds also need to changed or adjusted, there is no maxing out. You try new ones or combos.

Is the person at Memory Care, AL or at home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom has ALZ but is highly variable in presentation. On “good days,” when she’s more with it, she is severely depressed to the point of suicidal ideation and is in a great deal of emotional pain. She is maxed out on meds and needs someone to talk to, as she had been in therapy most of her life. I’m looking for a therapist who works with elderly and memory issues. Ideally, someone who can make house calls. I realize I’m looking for a unicorn but welcome any recommendations.

I posted already, but found myself thinking about this thread. OP I am so sorry you are dealing with this. If she has suicidal ideation you need to tell whoever is prescribing the meds so they can evaluate and see the risk of suicide and also change/adjust the meds. That is step number one and needs to be done ASAP. I would ask the prescribing psychiatrist or neurologists if she is capable of therapy or what other suggestions they have for mood boosting besides the meds...e.g. art therapy, music group, etc.

Where is she? If she is at a facility, you need to find out from the doctor if you need to inform the facility of suicidal ideation (is she capable of carrying it out, does she have a plan?). If she is at home, are you managing her care? Is there a care manager? If there is a care manager, that person needs to secure the proper services to treat depression at this stage of Alzheimer's. What is the stage?