We saw the Geriatric Psychiatrist at the hospital where DH will be in a trial. When I was having my interview with him, he said a few things I had not heard before. He said that the slowness of the disease is in its way, a kindness for the caretaker, because each thing happens slowly, so you kind of get used to it. and I was thinking, 5 yrs ago, DH was on painkillers, and was totally out of it, not knowing where the money came from for us to live, nor where we were. I left to go to my grandson's birthday, and he called before I got there to find out why I was gone too long. I was in tears, how was I going to deal with this. Well, after the painkillers, he went back to pretty normal, and now he's exactly like he was then, only worse, and it's not as bad now as then. I've just acclimated to it, like you do to cold weather in the winter. It struck me as really interesting. Also, this doctor was very, very concerned about how I was dealing with everything, and where my stress level was. I found that very comforting, Other doctors we've gone to have never inquired about how I am. This btw was at a VA facility, which I took him to because of the trials going on there, I didn't really expect such caring doctors. Especially since I have not gotten that type of concern from any doctor other than my Gyno.
It is good when we are treated with concern and kindness - it helps immeasurably. Blessings on all professionals who do so. I'm glad it happened to you. My family doctor is like that, too.
Going th rough a crisis with my DH in t he VA home/ he is at th e end stage of our long journey and the staff is wonderful with him and m e. Such love and concern I have the utmost regard for the VA people.
My friend's husband is treated by a respected AD neuro at Johns Hopkins. Early on, he made it clear that she is really the patient--he is treating her as much, or more, than he husband who has AD. I thought that was an interesting concept that all doctors should adopt when dealing with this diseaase. Our internist understands what I am going through and bends the rules as much as she can for me--prescribes over the phone instead of making me come in, etc. That's the way it should be.
My husband and I go to the same medical group, but different doctors. Mine always asks me how I am doing, meaning the caregiving stuff. I see her a lot more often than my medical conditions warrant, because she has me on a schedule because of the caregiving. His doctor also seems to be aware that I could be in difficulty, but he knows my doctor is watching for it (there are only 5 of them, so I figure they must be talking) so he doesn't say much to me. The last time we went in to see my husband's doctor we "bumped into" mine. On purpose? Don't know.
My dw,s doc is a gal gynocologist who,s dad had AD,,,,, She prescribes all of dw meds and at every visit takes me to a seperate room and looks me straight in the eye and askes how I am doing and expresses how she wants to be sure I,m doing well and how i,m coping with it all.... Its all very reasureing and kind of her ,,, very professional
We both see the same young woman doctor. She is a great listener. I am the caregiver and I go to see the doctor as often as once a month, while Miriam, the patient, goes once a year! The doctor and my family are always concerned about my health, even more than hers, I think. Hmm, I have an appointment with the doctor this morning. She will ask me how I am doing. Once I said I was fine, and she said "No, you are not fine, but you are coping." She was right, of course.
I think this is fantastic. I must t3ell you, I was taking Dh to a neurologist, and called to ask for an appointment for myself, and was told not, he would only see me with my DH, and if I had anything I wanted him to be aware of, I shoulld write a note, and hand it in when we got there. After that we went to a geriatrist, she never asked how I was doing or anything. To have this experience with the VA was really eyeopening as to what good care should be. Noone ever previously mentioned day care, or respite care of any kind. Like I was a robot or something.
My FIL was put in the VA Alzheimer unit in MA after my MIL died. He had not had treatment from them until then. They said it would take 9 months to get him into the unit but there was no one to care for him. He was a 'runner' and nothing worked to keep him safe. The doctor suggested going in by the 'backdoor' - admit him to the Psych ward as a danger to himself, which he was. Within two weeks he was into the Alzheimer unit and has been for almost 8 years. He spends the days walking the hallways with a big smile on his face oblivious to anyone around him. The nurses say he is very pleasant although he requires complete care. To the best of our knowledge he has never taken any of the drugs. Why he is still doing so well physically is a mystery to the doctors and nurses but they are all great people.
Now my husband, due to no other medical insurance, is going to the VA for medical. We are in the Vancouver/Portland area and will stay here for his treatment. He has been diagnosed with MCI. With his family history of AD, only time will tell if it progresses. The doctors here have been great so far and I expect it to stay that way.
We certainly have enough insurance, between Medicare and Blue cross, but DH keeps firing his doctors when they tell him he can't drive. My fault, because I tell them to tell him. I told the VA Psych not to mention driving to him. I can't say enough about the VA. They called me yesterday to see how he was doing. Amazing, i never had that happen before for his AD.
I've never had a phone call from either his neuro or his pcp inquiring about how he was doing or how I was coping. I didn't know doctors did that. It's wonderful for you Chris. I'm envious.