Because it's the holidays, and I won't be able to conclude the week until tomorrow, with Mom, I've tossed in this piece, which will be the theme for this week. Watch for the second part of this post on Thursday, and the usual Sunday post, tomorrow, Monday, 12/29/2014.
For years we suspected that Mom wasn't quite right. But, when you're a kid, you don't really know much about dementia - in fact we knew nothing (Okay, a bad joke, but it was true). Alzheimer's hadn't really come to the forefront, and if an elderly relative was "daughty", then that was attributed to aging and the aging process.
Today, more is known of Dementia and more than just Alzheimer's (AD). Now, we have Vascular Dementia, Sundowner's, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease Dementia (PDD), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), and more. They're all different, yet they all share the element of Dementia.
More and more of the aged and aging are developing symptoms, and we never know just who or when.
So, with that in mind, it seems practical to begin to put together a checklist for those of you who might want to begin arming yourself with resources.
1. Durable Powers of Attorney.
This is something that could very well be the most crucial document in your possession. This allows you to manage any and all accounts for your patient, with the understanding it's all benign and you are working with their best interest at heart.
2. Medical Powers of Attorney.
This is something about which you should speak with your loved ones. Do they want a DNR? What are their wants medically? What sort of End of Life procedures are they asking for? Yes, a rather uncomfortable conversation, but crucial.
Also, this allows you access to the physicians and to be present in procedures. Doctors are able to converse with you and help you in determining the best courses of action, and they can also work with you as the disease progresses.
With the HIPAA rules, this is also a must have!
3. A Physician Who Understands and Acknowledges the Patient's Needs and Wants.
Have a conversation with your loved one's physician about medications and dementias. Find out what they actually know, understand, and determine whether or not they will be a vehicle to help move forward, or a hindrance. A well-meaning doctor who knows nothing could do more damage than good, and this could decrease the quality of life for the loved one.
4. A list of medications.
Know what medications your patient is using, as well as the dosages.
Research those medications using WebMD.com, or another that your physician or pharmacist refers to you. You should be aware of the side effects, as well as the usages. Do some cross-referencing, as well, to make sure that medication is the best one to be using.
For example, many LBD patients are using Risperdal, and there is talk of a patch with Exelon. Some see the benefits, and others are experiencing negative side effects. Mom is on Quetiapine, and this is the best for her. So, there are options. Just be sure you know which will do the best, and which will not do damage.
5. A list of Dementia Resources.
Go online. Visit the NIH.gov and roam around. Visit the LBDA.org site. Visit the Alzheimer's Association site. Look at the Alzheimer's Reading Room, and other sites associated with the forms of dementia. There are quite a number of good blogsites out there, as well, and people share quite a bit.
For years we suspected that Mom wasn't quite right. But, when you're a kid, you don't really know much about dementia - in fact we knew nothing (Okay, a bad joke, but it was true). Alzheimer's hadn't really come to the forefront, and if an elderly relative was "daughty", then that was attributed to aging and the aging process.
Today, more is known of Dementia and more than just Alzheimer's (AD). Now, we have Vascular Dementia, Sundowner's, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease Dementia (PDD), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), and more. They're all different, yet they all share the element of Dementia.
More and more of the aged and aging are developing symptoms, and we never know just who or when.
So, with that in mind, it seems practical to begin to put together a checklist for those of you who might want to begin arming yourself with resources.
1. Durable Powers of Attorney.
This is something that could very well be the most crucial document in your possession. This allows you to manage any and all accounts for your patient, with the understanding it's all benign and you are working with their best interest at heart.
2. Medical Powers of Attorney.
This is something about which you should speak with your loved ones. Do they want a DNR? What are their wants medically? What sort of End of Life procedures are they asking for? Yes, a rather uncomfortable conversation, but crucial.
Also, this allows you access to the physicians and to be present in procedures. Doctors are able to converse with you and help you in determining the best courses of action, and they can also work with you as the disease progresses.
With the HIPAA rules, this is also a must have!
3. A Physician Who Understands and Acknowledges the Patient's Needs and Wants.
Have a conversation with your loved one's physician about medications and dementias. Find out what they actually know, understand, and determine whether or not they will be a vehicle to help move forward, or a hindrance. A well-meaning doctor who knows nothing could do more damage than good, and this could decrease the quality of life for the loved one.
4. A list of medications.
Know what medications your patient is using, as well as the dosages.
Research those medications using WebMD.com, or another that your physician or pharmacist refers to you. You should be aware of the side effects, as well as the usages. Do some cross-referencing, as well, to make sure that medication is the best one to be using.
For example, many LBD patients are using Risperdal, and there is talk of a patch with Exelon. Some see the benefits, and others are experiencing negative side effects. Mom is on Quetiapine, and this is the best for her. So, there are options. Just be sure you know which will do the best, and which will not do damage.
5. A list of Dementia Resources.
Go online. Visit the NIH.gov and roam around. Visit the LBDA.org site. Visit the Alzheimer's Association site. Look at the Alzheimer's Reading Room, and other sites associated with the forms of dementia. There are quite a number of good blogsites out there, as well, and people share quite a bit.
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