Taser used on confused patient

south bend tribune ^ | 8 14 04 | PATRICK M. O'CONNELL

[xrp]

Are you going to challenge him to a rematch?

[Judith Anne]

I've been punched and kicked by Alzheimer's patients also. One was in a wheelchair, and didn't like the way I smiled at another patient; she belted me a good one in the stomach, knocked me down. Another kicked me, when I was helping her get up out of bed. She was unable to walk by herself, but she was hostile and strong. You can't just let them fall...

I also had a patient walk off the grounds, and down the middle of a rural, hilly highway. I went to him, and tried to coax him into returning for lunch before taking a walk, he grabbed my arm, said I was trying to trick him (true) and walked us BOTH down the middle of the highway. I was praying that a lumber truck didn't come over the rise, let me tell YOU!

Alzheimer's patients are very unpredictable. I'm sure the taser was a good idea--it saved the man's life.

My father had an organic dementia the last couple of years of his life, and once, while on a ventilator, thought an ICU nurse was picking his pocket. She was straightening his sheet. He ripped out the vent, fell out of bed cursing at the top of his lungs, and spraying blood everywhere. I'm telling you, it's a miracle he survived that, and there were some bruised staff by the time he was medicated.

I don't fault the policeman. Alzheimers patients don't wear signs.