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Introductions: Are you caring for someone with dementia?
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Aug 16 2:33pm | Replies (762)Comment receiving replies
No, I can't switch her doctors! Her primary care physician was regarded as a personal friend until the dementia set in and the concern level plummeted! My spouse won't even consider using someone else and I can't get her Covid and flu shots at the drugstore; she is convinced that her doctor will take care of that which, of course, does not happen. I have tried to talk her into getting the shots at CVS but it just results in a rude response that her doctor takes care of that! She was hospitalized last week for high blood pressure and heart rate (likely due to refusing to take her meds) and I notified her PCP about the situation. Nothing, Nada, Zilch...not even a courtesy call to see how she was doing. I'm stuck with this one which just adds to the anxiety level!
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@ultrajko I understand exactly what you are saying about your wife not being seen by her primary doctor when she was in the hospital. Unfortunately, it’s one of the new ways in hospital care. Doctors, who are called hospitalists, are responsible for patients while they are in hospital. The primary doctor doesn’t see the patient, they are given a report/update by the hospitalist. Someone somewhere must think it works well, but it is difficult for the patient and family. I don’t know what the primary care doctors think of it, but. . . . .
I just want to give you a hug. I know you are trying to do the best you can against great odds and it’s extremely difficult. All I can say is to keep trying.
Edit: this seems to be a much better definition of a hospitalist:
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/what-is-hospitalist#:~:text=A%20hospitalist%20is%20a%20physician,obstetrics%20and%20gynecology%2C%20or%20oncology.
The next time your wife is in hospital (hopefully never), find out when the hospitalists makes rounds, so you can meet them. Maybe express your concerns to them, concerns that you want the primary to know. It may really help!