David, 76, originally from Oxford, has been a scientist, holds an MBA and has worked internationally.
He came to us at Sefton Hall, Dawlish before Xmas ‘21, after many placements in multiple / different care settings over some 10 years, had all failed.
He has also been under the guidance of the NHS services.
David came to us with a diagnosis of advanced dementia, chronic pre-disposition to episodic complex behaviours & other conditions.
Despite the team’s best efforts, behaving with unconditional positive regard (Rogers C.) & showing unconditional love and affection (Robbins T.), working with ‘feelings matter most‘ (Butterfly Approach, Meaningful Care Matters) he still had not settled with us (quite unusually for the home). In fact, sadly, the home subsequently felt unable to support him, such was his anxiety, and nothing the home tried, seemed to be working.
One of our Nurses, Daniela, an RGN, really felt something was unusual and not right.
She researched his medication. She also looked at their potential side effects.
She was aware he was on a high dose of ‘Primadon’, a drug intended to relieve ‘the shakes’ he previously suffered from. She found out this medication had been prescribed for 10 years and had never been reviewed by any GPs before he came to us. He registered newly with the Home’s GP. when he came to us.
The drugs’ potential (but very rare) side effects were quite horrific, and Daniela thought this might explain his behaviour. Upon approaching the GP, she was open to the possibility of the medication side effects triggering the behaviours David experienced and agreed to reduce Primadon from his medication.
Within weeks, David subsequently regained full and normal health, does not have a dementia at all and has now left Sefton Hall. He has bought a flat overlooking the sea. He has also bought a laptop and is now going to resume research.
David has little recollection of recent years, but despite his loss, is so happy to be ‘alive’ again.
This story is of course double edged, but we can only look forwards. He visits the Home regularly and has become a real friend.
With thanks to Geoffrey Cox, Southern Healthcare, David for permission to use his story and to Daniela, a nurse for going the extra mile.