When Your Aging Parent Refuses to Go to the Doctor

October 10, 2008

(Source: Aging Care) - Author Marcell explains how

important it is to find a doctor with a special interest in treating

older adults - a Geriatrician. A Geriatrician is an MD with a

specialty in geriatrics. Bottom line: a physician with a heart for

seniors.

But when a parent is experiencing memory loss and needs to be

evaluated by a dementia specialist, yet refuses to go, Marcell has a

few suggestions:

* Ask their doctor to rave about the new doctor saying how much

he/she has helped so many of his other patients over the years.

* Then make the appointment for Mom or Dad.

* On the day of the visit take your loved one to lunch and don't say

a word about what you've planned next. Pretend you have an errand and

casually drive by the new doctor's office and say, " Oh, here's where

that Dr. 's office is that your doctor wants you to see. Let's

go in and put your name on the waiting list while we are here, as it

is going to be such a long time before we can get in to see her. "

She explains that, yes, as adults we've earned the right to make our

own decisions, but oftentimes once-competent elders don't think as

rationally as they used to. So, when in the best interest of your

parent (s), it's okay to fib, just a little.

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