which MD speciality would be best for a dementia patient?
My spouse was diagnosed with MCI first, then she progressed to dementia a few years ago, otherwise she is physically very healthy. Yes, she did go through all of the tests for the diagnosis (including a PET scan). She has been under the care of a neurologist and seeing him every 6 months. she has also tried all the current drugs but only mematine (not the plus) seems to be working. she does not want an infusion. My question is: which MD specialty is best for her? neurologist? geriatrician? or some other specialty? I do not want an MD who treats her as a guinea pig but a valuable family member. Yes, we have met a few MDs who wanted to use her as a guinea pig.
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In my area it literally takes several months to make an appointment with a neurologist who specializes in memory disorders.
Yes. Specialists appointments take a very long time. I made my Rheumatologist appointment last November for the appointment I have next week! My Neurologist appointment I got for the next day, as if by a miracle I called in the afternoon when someone just canceled and I snatched it up. Saved my life.
We have a team that does not include a neurologist at this time.
Most helpful is the neuropsychologist, then the geriatrician and speech therapist. Lastly his PCP, who is not up on the latest research, but follows my lead.
We have a team of doctors besides our PCP. At the University of Utah, our team consists of a neurologist, geriatrician, a psychiatrist, and a social worker. I have access to them M-F through the patient portal, Zoom, and in person. It works really well. Like many of your spouses, my husband has had UTIs. Even though I keep him well hydrated, the UTIs still show up occasionally. Our PCP has access to our patient portal and knows what to give my husband for the UTIs without the antibiotic affecting other medications.
We live in Toronto Canada. My husband just turned 93 and is suffering from Alzheimer’s. I’m over 80, a cancer survivor with cardiac and other issues. I am also a retired trauma psychologist and the sole caregiver for my husband Long story short, I got a neurologist who specializes in dementia to take my husband on as a patient and initially she was seeing him every six months. We are now being transitioned over to once a year. He also saw two different geriantricians. They both said he could be followed by the neurologist or them, but not both. We stayed with the neurologist. His decline is slow and and he is still in the moderate range. Major issue is loss of memory both immediate and recent. Remote memory is starting to be lost as well. And he has difficulty with verbal comprehension. Finally, he feels safe and functions reasonably well at home. But is not comfortable outside our condo. My life is now confined to our condo, which is fine but after fours years has left me isolated. So sorry for the long introduction. Didn’t expect that. Just want to end with the blessing my LO and I have is that there is still love, support and laughter in our home, and here he will stay for as long as possible. Nice to meet everyone. Stay safe and well.
@bellabella1 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I’m glad that you felt comfortable enough to tell us your story.
Bella, thank you for sharing. your current situation is what scares me because I know it's our future.
Dan
Similar situation here. I will be 80 in January, husband turns 93 in a couple of weeks. His short term memory is almost non-existent, but he is cheerful, loving, not abusive and has a great appetite! We have a neurologist whom we see every 6 months (or his Physical Assistant) and a geriatrician (or her Advanced Practice Nurse) whom we see on the other 6 month schedule, which means we are seeing someone every three months for a condition that can only be monitored, not cured. I prefer the geriatrician (and she spends 45 minutes with us) because I feel she is more holistic. Additionally, the practice has a social worker on staff whom you can call with questions and for support.
My husband developed hospital worthy UTIs twice in the past three months, one of which went to sepsis. I am inclined to transition to annually with the neurologist because I am realizing that he will not likely die from Alzheimer's, but rather, conditions that affect the very elderly.
The loss of memory as you say is the saddest, but he still remembers me and our sons. Our 5 grandchildren he mostly can bring up, but as the afternoon wears on, sundowning clouds his cognition and he can become more confused. I will keep him at home no matter what. He's still witty and happy to be alive. No country for old men, to be sure, but he's not ready to quit, so neither am I. Nor, it sounds, are you. Carry on bellabella1!
Thank you for sharing. We learn from each other. ❤️
Dear Crankyyankee,
Thanks for my morning smile. You are right. The parallels of our lives are very similar. And like you, I am keeping my LO home for as long as ever. Life sometimes presents difficult challenges. I feel blessed that my LO still shares the joy of living, and each day is an adventure. As he is able, he still takes care of me and I of him. And isn’t that what loving is all about? And now, if I have questions, or information, I have a place to ask or learn from fellow caregivers. So, thanks all for being on this blog, and have as joyful a day as life allows. BellaBella.