Assaulted by Alzheimer's patient, what do I do?

My father is in a convalescent home for seniors. After my visit ended, upon leaving his room, I entered the hallway, and a female patient, about 75 years of age walked up to me and punched me repeatedly in the stomach, and pulled my right arm, trying to twist it. She was muttering paranoid gibberish about 'too many of you.' I wrested myself away from her and continued on my way out.

I wanted to report it to staff, but noone was around and I had to leave.

I still intend to report this, but what can they do to ensure this will not happen again? Can they restrain her, sedate her, keep her in her room?

What action should I have taken at the moment? I realize this woman is basically non compes mensis, and her punches were really weak, but all the same, I still do not feel safe. What if she had a knife?

What should I do?

I worked as a CNA at an Alzheimer's nursing home. Alzheimer patients can be difficult and dangerous sometimes because they often just don't know what they are doing and whom they are any more. Next time, make time to let the staff members know. This will allow the staff members to keep a closer eye on her. This will keep visitors and residents safe. The staff goes through special training on how to work with Alzheimer patients. Sometimes, they will be able to alter the patients medication and make sure that the patient is taking her medication. By wrestling away from her, she probably felt as if you were fighting with her. If she was hurting you, you need to get out of the situation as fast as possible. If she was just an annoyance, talk to the staff about "re-directing" techinques which may help you in the future. Alzheimer's is a difficult disease. The most important thing is to keep the staff informed. If you are concerned about safety, talk to the staff about what precautions are taken in regards to visitors and items that could become weapons. Hope this helps!

next time ask her to dance and waltz on outta there(alone). it is hard to keep track of all the patients. If she did no real harm just feel lucky it isn't you.

That is something you should have MADE time to report.

What if she assaulted and hurt your grandfather (or someone else) because you couldn't take the time to report her behavior.

Shame on you.

No they cannot and should not restrain her or sedate her or keep her in her room. Treatment like you suggest is illegal and not at all humane. I know you don't understand all of this but I can only hope that you never have to go through what an alzheimers patient has to go through. Knives and sharp objects are not allowed in patients rooms or public access areas so that is not a concern. You say you wanted to report this but no one was around??? You should have waited until someone was available and let them know what happened so they can monitor this patient or at least left a note with your name and number on the nurses desk so she could call you. Since you have time to post this you now have time to call the nursing home and let them know what happened. Call up and talk to the director of nursing and explain everything to her now.

Geez, she has Alzheimer's, man. Punch her out. She won't remember a thing.

Call them now, They may have to keep a closer eye on her. This has to be reported. Ask them why there was no one around, when this happened. She could have went into a patients room and harmed them to. I believe that there should be someone at a desk in each section, in case a problem arises so they could get help. Yes call them

1) in the situation you should retreat, do some serious yelling, close your father's door behind you and hit the "call button".

Realize that this type of behavior is likely what landed her in the care-home to begin with.
This patient's actions need to be addressed in the moment of her actions, and the staff need to be aware so as to watch her more closely. At a later time she may not recall the assault.

2) write down exactly what happened in your own words, including any detail that you can think of - who where when how. This will help you to answer the questions ask of you by the staff.

3) Make the report to the staff supervisor just as quickly as possible following the incident.

4) Make it very clear that you sought staff and could not find anyone - and this is unacceptable. Express, too your concerns for your own father's safety in this closed setting.

You must report this now. After reading this message, call the nursing home. This may be new behavior and it is certainly something they should know about.