I have a German Shepherd. She is starting to get increasingly anxious when my mom with Lewy begins to scream and yell at me, often trying to hit, kick and bite me. I think the dog knows my mom is part of the pack, so likely won't hurt my mom in my defense, but it pains me to know that even my dog, one of the few bright parts of my life right now, is also suffering because of this disease.
I actually managed to speak woth Medicare and She can get Medicare part A and B, but unlike a citizen, or someone with the required work history, she has to pay in full for the premium. So right now, her max Healthcare cost for the year if she sticks in network is $750 through the marketplace. Next year Medicare would have a base price of around $10,000 just for the premiums and deductibles.
Medicaid is hugely confusing because so many places say you are eligible after 5 years, but if you dig deeper, you actually aren't if sponsored by a family member. And states have some leeway about how to approach Medicaid.
Separate the dog and medicate mom. She's better off a bit TOO calm than she is at this level of unmanageable behavior. I'd get her seen by a geriatric psychiatrist for an evaluation and medication recommendations.
Best of luck to you.
I love dogs, and have for many years had my own and do rescue work to this day, even at 80. I have seen dreadful accidents by well meaning dogs. In one case a dog in a dogbed at the top of the stairs, his child playing with a neighbor child rushing up the stairs. His child fell over the dog on the bed and the dog tolerated this but when the neighbor child playfully jumped on the first child's back, the dog felt his boy was under attack, and bit the face of the visiting child.
This should be taken very seriously for the sake of all and I am so dreadfully sorry for it.
I do feel that dogs have emotions. They can express empathy like our dog did. They can also have anxiety. My daughter had a dog that experienced anxiety from an old boyfriend who mistreated him.
It’s sad that dogs become fearful. It’s understandable that they react to their surroundings.
I would speak with your vet and also consider speaking with an animal behaviorist. They may be helpful in giving advice on what is best for your dog at this time.
Wishing you and your family (including your sweet dog) all the very best.
*Yes Meds could make her a zombie, of sorts. My daughter, an RN who worked NHs for 20 yrs, says its like quality over quanity. You don't want her violent either. And it takes hit and miss with meds before the right "cocktail" is found. Its not good for Mom to be this way either.
So sorry about this problem. Maybe you should talk to a professional trainer to get their take on it.