ativan use
What you may not see or hear about is Mom's behavior when family is not present. Your presence may be soothing to her. When you are gone, she may become anxious, pulling at IV lines and the trach tube. In these cases, she is a danger to herself. The Ativan is an anti-anxiety medication to calm her. Some persons, especially the elderly, are extra sensitive to the medication, and they may become somnolent. Discuss the use of Ativan with her doctor. S/he may be able to help you understand its use in correlation with your mom's behaviors. Even the most alert elderly patients can suffer mood changes due to medications which they are not accustomed to taking, especially in a trauma/emergent situation. Talk to the doctors regularly.
Take care.