Dementia UNFOLDING Reasoning

William “Butch” Welka is a 72-year-old male with a history of heart failure, COPD, hypertension, diabetes type II and dementia who has been hospitalized for exacerbation of heart failure three times the past six months. He is now a resident of Pineville Estates, a local long-term care facility the past four months because his dementia progressed and his wife Rita was unable to care for him. When Rita visited Butch this morning, she reports to the nurse that he is more confused and is concerned because Butch is easily angered. Butch insists that he sees his friend Roger, who served with him in the Navy, is in the room, but he died ten years ago. Rita approaches the nursing station with tears in her eyes and states, “What is happening to my husband? This just isn’t like Butch to act like this! Please do something to help him!” Personal/Social History: Butch has been married to Rita for 51 years. They have three adult children who visit him weekly. Rita comes to visit Butch every day after work. Butch was a salesman for 35 years before he retired seven years ago. Butch believes he is at Pineville Estates for rehab, but his family is concerned that it is no longer safe at home if he were alone. Rita was just awarded guardianship due to his declining mental status.