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Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
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Momskg, I found once my parents changed over to an aging care doctor, the doctor had more understanding of what was going on with their health.
The best part for me, the doctor understood what I was going through, so she tried to get in as much testing during the appointment then scheduling other times.
And any time the doctor asked either parent a health question, and my parent would answer, the doctor would look at me to see if I was shaking my head yes or no. She was so good at pulling correct information out of my parents.
I still remember the time, after my Dad had fallen quite a few times, the doctor said it was time to get a medical alert to wear. I just rolled my eyes when my Dad said "that's for old people"..... my Dad was in his late 80's at that time.
When Luz, DW, was diagnosed it was already too late for anything. We were seeing a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic here in Las Vegas. Although nothing could be done, the clinic did help me with her actions and that helped me a lot. they explained to me what was happening and how to care for her as best I could and to understand that the day will come when I would no longer be able to help her and she would need a facility. Unfortunately she passed away before that day arrived. to answer your question, Yes she should be seeing a specialist. They can, in most cases, help you as well and you will more than likely need it in the future. You will have such a hard road ahead with much planning to go with it. Do not hesitate with the future planning and don't hesitate to ask for guidance, help, or assistance from here or any where else. Best of luck to you.
I didn’t find it necessary to switch Drs. My friend liked and respected his Dr. When first diagnosed the dr did all the right tests, ct scan , blood work, mini memory test, etc. He was 88 when I brought him to the Dr requesting the Dr to check him for dementia. At that age there was no need to run him thru the mill for more advanced tests. It was not going to accomplish anything more. I think a lot depends on how old your mother is also.
My mom is 92 and still goes every 3 months to her regular doctor. We all know she has dementia and so the doctor is attentive to that. But at this stage she is not going to be having elaborate testing or treatment for any physical or mental condition. So that's where we are at for now. The practice has been so gentle and compassionate with my mom that I hope never to have to give them up until the end. My mom enjoys the visits and the attention, which is half the battle right there.
(NOT to THE OP) tornadojan in your case images will confirm symptoms, "We all know" equates to zero. Since Dementia is a generalized term for cognitive decline. "But at this stage she is not going to be having elaborate testing or treatment for any physical or mental condition" = is not a medical directive, images are the most accurate way to diagnose, obtain accurate information since dementia symptoms can result from multiple factors, including being over-medicated or being dehydrated, CJD, etc. So, from a clinical perspective, images are the only next step, to pinpoint the cause, and to answer more specifics. Originally I though you were the OP, oops, I was wrong.
When you say a regular medical doctor, is this a primary care physician/general practitioner, do you mean?
If so, what you should do is ask that doctor whether s/he agrees that your mother would benefit from a referral to a geriatrician and/or an older age psychiatrist or dementia specialist and/or neurologist for more detailed investigations.
But I wouldn't get rid of her PCP, especially not if you're generally happy with the care and especially not if it's a long-established relationship. If the PCP is a good one, they're worth their weight in gold when it comes to co-ordinating health care and seeing the whole picture.
Neurologist is the type of doctor with the most knowledge, if she has been diagnosed, then images were taken of her brain, and a neurologist would be her doctor.....Consult with her neurologist since that type of doctor is a brain specialist. If her "regular doctor" isn't a neurologist then, I would bet that her "regular doctor" has been consulting with a Neuro, if you aren't liking her "regular doctor" perhaps ask for a referral, so you can locate what you are seeking. Have you obtained, seen, been shown images of her brain? If not then ask to be shown those images so you can be obtain more information about her brain's specific ongoings. From my amateur understanding Dementia is a blanket term for cognitive decline, ALZ is a more specific label that pinpoints a decline in structural make-up of connections via proteins on prions declining or misfolding thereof, or bad replication...Obviously a neurologist would know more than my amateur descriptives. a GP knows a lot more than most...So what's going on ???
It is always best to see specialists for the specialized medical problems. A primary care practitioner helps manage the referrals, blood work, and typicsl medical problems like flu and fevers.
My mom has both, PCP & Geriatrician. Her PCP referred her to Specialist, who officially diagnosed mom with dementia. The PCP, after consults with Geriatrician over several months & extreme emotional & physical stress on my husband & I, approved that my mom enter a carehome. However, her PCP still sees mom for wellness visits about twice a year. The Geriatrician declared her mentally incapacitated at one point & is the one who dispenses/manages all dementia meds. The transition period was very rough, at one point I had to stop calling, (on advice of Geriatrician's nurse) as she would curse me out, not realizing she had dementia, she would hit the caregiver & her family members, as well as verbally abuse the other patients! It took nearly a year before the right mix of meds were found for mom. At least now we can go out together for a few hours each week; shopping, lunch, just enjoy being out... and she's SO MUCH CALMER. I'm just doing the best I can for her and that's what's important.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
The best part for me, the doctor understood what I was going through, so she tried to get in as much testing during the appointment then scheduling other times.
And any time the doctor asked either parent a health question, and my parent would answer, the doctor would look at me to see if I was shaking my head yes or no. She was so good at pulling correct information out of my parents.
I still remember the time, after my Dad had fallen quite a few times, the doctor said it was time to get a medical alert to wear. I just rolled my eyes when my Dad said "that's for old people"..... my Dad was in his late 80's at that time.
Although nothing could be done, the clinic did help me with her actions and that helped me a lot. they explained to me what was happening and how to care for her as best I could and to understand that the day will come when I would no longer be able to help her and she would need a facility. Unfortunately she passed away before that day arrived.
to answer your question, Yes she should be seeing a specialist. They can, in most cases, help you as well and you will more than likely need it in the future.
You will have such a hard road ahead with much planning to go with it.
Do not hesitate with the future planning and don't hesitate to ask for guidance, help, or assistance from here or any where else.
Best of luck to you.
If so, what you should do is ask that doctor whether s/he agrees that your mother would benefit from a referral to a geriatrician and/or an older age psychiatrist or dementia specialist and/or neurologist for more detailed investigations.
But I wouldn't get rid of her PCP, especially not if you're generally happy with the care and especially not if it's a long-established relationship. If the PCP is a good one, they're worth their weight in gold when it comes to co-ordinating health care and seeing the whole picture.
It took nearly a year before the right mix of meds were found for mom. At least now we can go out together for a few hours each week; shopping, lunch, just enjoy being out... and she's SO MUCH CALMER. I'm just doing the best I can for her and that's what's important.