My cousin is 63 years old with Vascular Dementia mixed with Altzheimers. Type II diabetes. Blood sugar and pressure monitored daily and logged in at the Memory Unit and is under control.
How often is it recommended to return to your primary care doctor for check ups?
We have an 86 year old family friend who does not have dementia and no real health issues, whose primary doctor wanted him in every 30 days. He changed doctors. I'm wondering what is recommended.
The patient in Memory Care is likely seen by the on site MD or NP and of course has daily nursing care. They probably will not have to go anywhere, care will come to them.
Next visit to Neurologist is May. Family members in the medical field are suggesting Psycho evaluation, also saying that 3 mths is too long between visits. My Mother is in a depressed state, declining any interaction with family or friends, she doesn't eat right, no exercise and refuses to live with me. I have no siblings and my Father died with Picks. I am trying to make good decisions.
Any input is appreciated.
I wondered about that too and my family friend. He's on the thin side, and maybe he doesn't consider it a health problem, but maybe his doctor did. He says his new doctor says to come in only when he needs it. I'm considering his former doctor and his new one, since they both focus on the elderly.
The Memory Unit doesn't really have a doctor who comes to the facility. They transport to the doctor of your choice. I moved her there in October and now need to get her a new doctor that is closer to the facility. Her existing one is over an hour away and he wants to see her about every other month,. I have no issue with it, if it's necessary, but not if it isn't.
I'm also going to get her to a geriatric psychiatrist that sees a lot of the Memory Care residents. I want to see if there are any medications that might help her maintain. She's lost some ground, but still has her verbal and feeding skills.
My husband lived at home, was treated for dementia by a specialist, had several other health concerns, and generally saw his pcp about once a quarter. Sometimes if he was stable and doing well she would suggest his next appointment be in 6 months.
On the face of it, your family friend is being asked to come in very frequently. But there may be some issues that you are not aware of that the pcp legitimately wanted to keep an eye on. Over use of pain meds, suspicion of addiction, early sign of dementia ... who knows? But your friend is certainly entitled to change doctors if he is not comfortable with the one he had.
There may be some standard guidelines that someone in the healthcare profession can share with us. But I also think it is highly dependent on specific circumstances.