We moved 30 miles from DWs neuro, and now live in Southern San Diego near Chula Vista. I am not sure if I should find a closer Dr but gut says to. The current neuro she sees every 3 months. The parking a pain and Neuro is pushing DW to join clinical trials. She does not want to be a guinea pig. She takes 10 mg Aricept and hydroclorot for HBP (25mg) We have Blue Shield net value HMO. Will a geriatric Dr know more about AD? Thanks for any advice and I will try to post more I promose! She is still wearing those pantyhose too!
Herenow - you must have more patience than I to struggle with pantyhose. I haven't wore those for 8 years. 30 miles is not far unless you have a transportation problem. If you like the Neuro and transportation isn't an issue I would stay with him. Seems most of us have problems finding a caring Neuro.
I have just switched DW from an Internist to a family physician for 2 reasons: 1) The FP is more willing to deal with the issues of AD, including the caregiver, in addition to the hypertension and diabetes. The Internist sent us to another internist for just the AD, so we were dealing with 2 doctors. 2) The FP is much closer - 2½ miles rather than 16.
I gave up the neuro after the diagnosis since I couldn't see that he was doing anything useful. That drive was 42 miles each way. If we get into problems needing drugs for rage, anger, violence, etc. I may have to reconsider, but since the new FP has lots of experience with AD I think she will be well acquainted with the drugs needed.
Also, as someone stated in an earlier post: "Remember that our task as caregivers is to help our loved one peacefully through the labor of dying. Rather than disturb this process through unwanted interventions, our goal is to peacefully enable their journey forward and bless their transition from this life." This is something the FP is well equipped to help with.
Herenow, you're in San Diego? Dr. John Daly, geriatrics medicine, head of the SOCARE (seniors only care) center at UCSD Medical Center, also associated with UCSD Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.
BTW, we use Doug Galasko, also with UCSD, for my husband's neuro. Dr Daly can do most of what we need, but he refers us to Galasko for special things. I'd think Daly would be covered by Blue Shield HMO, no?