Though most of you would never understand the effects of medication or combination of medications on the elderly, it is a common sight in hospitals and nursing homes. It sometimes makes one confused and disoriented, belligerent, and combative. They can see and hear things we do not and it is very real to them. Some families don't understand this and it is something they are not familiar with or just don't seem to comprehend.

As I was coming to work one night, I was walking down the hall and at the end of the hall I turned to proceed to the next wing where I worked. For some reason the doors were closed but not locked. As I went through them, I remember being picked up and thrown clear across the hall and hit the wall. A little stunned, I picked myself up from the floor in time to see a small elderly gentleman running down the hall and soon some evening nurses right behind him. I told them I was alright and to go after him. It seemed he had a reaction to some of his medication and thought he was kidnapped. He was just using the survival instinct he was born with and he was escaping from the kidnappers. He was caught and had to be restrained to keep him from hurting himself or others. In a few days his mind cleared up and fortunately did not remember any of the previous days' events.

Sometimes in their confusion, they are very strong physically and very strong willed.

This condition is a lot like the DT'S of an alcoholic. These patients can be very dangerous as well as hilarious. We may laugh inside at the antics of the DT's or the confusion of other patients but never to their face.

One patient painted the walls of his room with feces because he found some spilled thick paint in his bed. Another picked at the air and knitted all day, one picked at the covers, because she thought she was quilting. One threw bedpans or anything at anyone entering the room to ward off the demons. The list is endless.

So if you are visiting someone in the hospital and someone is yelling down the hall, just overlook it, the patient can not help it. If your family member is talking nonsense, ask the nurse or doc if they are confused. Sometimes it is due to age, medications, onset of dementia or alzheiemers. There is always a reason for the change in their state of mind. If the family member turns against you, consider the possible reasons. They don't hate you, their mind is not their own. Some get parnoid.

There is a reason for any change. Pray for them and the health personnel who take care of them 24-7.