Finding a doctor for an Alzheimer's patient involves several important steps to ensure that the patient receives appropriate care and support. Here's a guide to help you through the process:
- Primary Care Physician (PCP):?Consult the patient's current primary care physician. They can provide initial assessments, refer you to specialists, and help coordinate the patient's overall care. Unfortunately, my mom's beloved doctor got burned out during COVID-19 and left his practice. It took two years to find a suitable replacement. You will find many doctors are not interested in dementia patients. One doctor looked at me after experiencing her confusion and asked if she remembered anything. He was hostile the whole time we were in his exam room.
- Neurologist or Geriatrician:?Consider consulting a neurologist or a geriatrician for a specialized approach. Neurologists have expertise in diagnosing and treating neurological conditions, while geriatricians specialize in caring for older adults. The neurologist we were referred to prescribed Donepezil, which didn't work. It worsened her memory issues, so I took her off of it. There is no magic pill right now - Dr. David Perlmutter even states that many neurologists know these medicines don't work but prescribe them anyway. You have to decide if it works for your loved one or not.
- Memory Clinics:?Many hospitals or medical centers have memory clinics or Alzheimer's centers that focus specifically on diagnosing and treating memory disorders. These clinics usually have a team of specialists, including neurologists, geriatricians, psychologists, and social workers, who collaborate to provide comprehensive care. Make sure your loved one is in a system that offers these services. I have yet to find one in my region. And truthfully, I was surprised there was so little invested in memory care in St. Louis.
- Referrals:?Ask for recommendations from friends, family members, or caregivers who have experience with Alzheimer's patients. You can also look for referrals from your current healthcare providers or local support groups. Manage your expectations. The truly great doctors are BOOKED UP. You may have to wait, so start researching early. Don't be surprised if it takes months to get into a neurologist's office.
- Online Directories:?Use online resources like the Alzheimer's Association's "Community Resource Finder" or healthcare provider directories to locate doctors specializing in Alzheimer's disease or dementia care in your area.
- Insurance Coverage:?Check with your health insurance provider to understand which doctors and services are covered under your plan. This can help you narrow down your options.
- Credentials and Experience:?Look for doctors who are board-certified in neurology, geriatrics, or a related field. Additionally, consider doctors who have experience and expertise in treating Alzheimer's disease and dementia. And take this with a grain of salt - I used someone who was the head of the memory care facility, and he had a terrible bedside manner and kept a super dark exam room. Which was next to the restroom that we heard him use before my mom's LAST appointment with him. Titles don't indicate skill.
- Consultation:?Once you've identified potential doctors, schedule consultations to meet them in person or through telehealth platforms. This will give you a chance to discuss the patient's condition, ask questions, and gauge their approach to care. And don't be afraid to ask questions. If they can't answer or blow you off, know they will be that way when you try to reach them with an urgent question or concern.
- Communication:?Choose a doctor who communicates effectively and listens to your concerns. Alzheimer's care requires ongoing communication and collaboration between the doctor, patient, and caregivers. And since you're not a doctor, you will need clarification and have tons of questions. For me, it was around sundowner's and the inability for my mom to sleep. We spent seven months with her sleeping for 2 hours a night and then being up fighting with me. She couldn't sleep some days and would be up for 24-48 hours. And I couldn't get her doctor to call me back.
- Care Philosophy:?Inquire about the doctor's approach to Alzheimer's care. Finding a doctor who aligns with your preferences for treatment, management, and support is essential. Caregiving is stressful - you must feel like their doctor is a teammate.?
Remember that caring for an Alzheimer's patient involves a multidisciplinary approach, and finding the right doctor is just one piece of the puzzle. Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, caregivers, and support services can help provide comprehensive care for the patient's needs. And don't settle. You can fire a bad doctor. If it's not a fit, don't feel pressure to keep them, especially when you know they aren't meeting your expectations. Again, this is all hard, so worrying if you have the right medical team is just an extra headache.
