Hi Facing, I saw your question and I just had to log on real quick. I know I'm supposed to be away but I can't help it. What is the dosage of his patch? Mom's on 4.6 I believe. There is a higher dosage. There are also pills instead of the patch. Have you asked the doctor why it would just stop working? He may need to be on it longer for it to really kick in. I know it didn't work immediately with Mom. Are you happy with his doctor? I know someone here who found a geriatric doctor and it made all the difference in the world. I have switched a couple of Mom's doctors and it has helped a great deal as well. I am sure you will get some better advice from others but some of the questions I asked might be something you could ask the doctor. He may even be withdrawing from all the meds he was on. While Mom was on pain meds she was a terror. It was like she was out of her mind. It took a while for her to come back to her baseline again but it was terrible. She does not remember any of it either. One last thing, have the doctors checked for any type of infection (UTI, etc.). That can alter the behavior a great deal as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Big hugs, Kim

I'm curious, if you don't mind sharing, what are all the medications they have him on? I've been told that Namenda, Exelon, Aricept all have the possibility of their effectiveness wearing off over time. Some work for 6 months to a year, sometimes for many years.

Does he act up during certain times of day? During certain activities (eating, bathing, etc?) Just giving more drugs at times can mask what is really causing the issue. Like Kim said, there are other things that can trigger episodes, like dehydration, UTI's etc.

Sometimes this is the normal path of these diseases and the challenges increase, it becomes a balancing act of keeping them safe, having some quality of life and dignity. Over medicating is watched very closely in my State and doctors are very hesitant to just provide more "restraint" medications. Keep sending more information and we'll keep trying to help provide ideas, ok? Cathy

I have been on the exelon patch 9.5 for almost a year now and seem to be very stabble. Yes my disease is slowly getting more signs of getting worse but just little things. Not every meds work for everyone. All I am on is one med for my alzheimers or dementia if you prefer. Most important I am a depression medication that is really more important than the exelon patch, yes both are needed but depression seems to be my biggest problem in living as "normal" for the condition I have. God BLess Phil & Flops

PS Kim and Cathy are two terrific ladies to read and consider, they have been care givers for a while and really are what I call true care givers, they seemed to have learned how to be care givers and still love the people they are caring for and not go crazy with stress and being over controlling. I am sure they both have had so much heart ache and suffering but they do not reflect that onto the people they have been taking care of in the past and now. They are the best. God Bless Phil & Flops

Mom's doctor has just given me Aricept which we hope will help Mom. You may recall she is 92 and I have a hard time with the delusions and getting her to reality at times. Will let you know if I see any differences but have been told it will take at least 30 days.

I am sorry for all you are going through. My mom is on Namenda and Exelon...we were told that it is important not to discontinue the medications....and my mom also gets irritated by the patches...the small round circles that it leaves but it is not a real problem...may I suggest that Mary Kay oil free eye makeup remover is a gentle thing to use to remove those circles. God Bless