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Message
Serious question for OT medical professionals or anyone with opinions/experience
Posted on 2/24/15 at 11:36 pm
Posted on 2/24/15 at 11:36 pm
I have a relative whose Dr. thinks she has mild dementia. No symptoms that I can tell. She keeps house, cooks, looks after herself and her husband, is oriented to time/place, etc. But he has observed some personality changes over time. His recommendation is to just be watchful. No referral to a specialist, no medication, and no activity restrictions-she can do whatever she wants, including continuing to drive. Does sound like a reasonable course of action under the circumstances? I was expecting a more proactive approach.
This post was edited on 2/24/15 at 11:38 pm
7
Posted on 2/24/15 at 11:37 pm to Jim Rockford
How old?
I would take the keys away.
I would take the keys away.
Posted on 2/24/15 at 11:38 pm to KosmoCramer
quote:
How old?
Mid seventies.
Posted on 2/24/15 at 11:38 pm to Jim Rockford
What meds actually work for dementia? I guess a few sort of gradually slow rate of loss
Posted on 2/24/15 at 11:39 pm to Jim Rockford
quote:
Mid seventies.
I'm assuming they've run tests to make sure that she doesn't have any deficiencies? Sometimes the lack of B12, certain infections, etc can also cause dementia.
Posted on 2/24/15 at 11:41 pm to Jim Rockford
The major issue at hand is if she causes harm to another individual, you would be beating yourself up inside.
Is she repeating herself? Or what are the symptoms?
I have dealt with this with 3 grandparents and several great aunts/uncles. It's a difficult thing. If you have the time or if you have help, maybe give them rides to the doctor and the store if you think it she could hurt herself or others.
Is she repeating herself? Or what are the symptoms?
I have dealt with this with 3 grandparents and several great aunts/uncles. It's a difficult thing. If you have the time or if you have help, maybe give them rides to the doctor and the store if you think it she could hurt herself or others.
Posted on 2/24/15 at 11:43 pm to BluegrassBelle
quote:
I'm assuming they've run tests to make sure that she doesn't have any deficiencies? Sometimes the lack of B12, certain infections, etc can also cause dementia.
Yeah this was in the course of hospitalization for something else, so she's had a workup. She had a seizure and delirium from the flu, and when acute illness causes neurological symptoms, that's supposed to be a red flag for underlying dementia. So I guess that's one thing he's going on. But she's bounced back from that remarkably well and seems pretty much back to normal (to me)
Posted on 2/24/15 at 11:45 pm to KosmoCramer
quote:
Is she repeating herself? Or what are the symptoms?
None that I can tell, other than occasional forgetfulness that any older person-or even younger person-might have. This is just the doctor's diagnosis, and I don't know what he's basing it on except that he's apparently noticed something..
Posted on 2/24/15 at 11:47 pm to Jim Rockford
I would follow his advice and just keep a close eye on it. It's one of those things that is very hard to tell in the early stages unless you spend a significant amount of time with the person.
If she is doing well and not showing major signs maybe she was just reacting to the episode she had that led to hospitalization.
It's a scary thing for me because three of my grandparents had dimentia and the other died in his 70s of lung cancer from smoking. It definitely runs in my family.
If she is doing well and not showing major signs maybe she was just reacting to the episode she had that led to hospitalization.
It's a scary thing for me because three of my grandparents had dimentia and the other died in his 70s of lung cancer from smoking. It definitely runs in my family.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 12:16 am to Jim Rockford
(no message)
This post was edited on 2/25/15 at 6:10 am
Posted on 2/25/15 at 12:32 am to Jim Rockford
One of the best ways to prevent the progression of dementia is keeping the person busy and active. Some kind of daily work or activity appears to slow it down, especially when it involves leaving the house and going other places. The doctor clearly thinks she's capable of driving safely and the benefits of driving still outweigh the risks
Posted on 2/25/15 at 12:39 am to Jim Rockford
quote:
I have a relative whose Dr. thinks she has mild dementia. No symptoms that I can tell. She keeps house, cooks, looks after herself and her husband, is oriented to time/place, etc. But he has observed some personality changes over time. His recommendation is to just be watchful. No referral to a specialist, no medication, and no activity restrictions-she can do whatever she wants, including continuing to drive. Does sound like a reasonable course of action under the circumstances? I was expecting a more proactive approach.
All he is asking you to do is keep an eye on her and see if you notice anything, in my opinion that is 100% reasonable. Why be more proactive unless you know you have a reason to be, ya know?
Posted on 2/25/15 at 7:23 am to Jim Rockford
Do an annnual health risk assessment test which would qualify her for a cognitive rush assessment. The cognitive will show any early signs and you can't start proactive treatments.
It's all paid by Medicare and can be done once a year.
Ask her primary care to refer you to someone who does the AWV, annual wellness visits, which is made up of the health risk assessment and a cognitive risk assessment. Not all docs do the cognitive part, amnesty sure you go to one who does.
It's all paid by Medicare and can be done once a year.
Ask her primary care to refer you to someone who does the AWV, annual wellness visits, which is made up of the health risk assessment and a cognitive risk assessment. Not all docs do the cognitive part, amnesty sure you go to one who does.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 7:35 am to Jim Rockford
A lot of this can be attributed to diet. The elderly wives are consumed with the needs of the spouse and put themselves aside. Make sure her needs are being attended to. In my experience, she will most likely play it off like she is fine.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 7:54 am to WHATASHAME
I'm sure her home meds were reviewed . A lot of the elderly are prescribed a med for this and a med for that . The next thing you know they are on a ton of crap that makes one hell of a cocktail . Like was said keeping her body and mind active helps .
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