Confirmation of diagnosis.

Mik1929

Registered User
Oct 2, 2014
19
0
my wife has been diagnosed with alzheimers but I have not had any written confirmation. Is this usual? Before she was diagnosed there were six years of aggresion, both verbal and physical, but the gp did not seem to want to give a dianosis. After a great deal of pressure she was diagnosed and is now on medication. The aggression still surfaces fairly regularly and her memory is going fast.
My question about confirmation is because her family, all now in their seventies/eighties sometimes query, from a distance, if she really has dementia and it would help if there was something in writing.
All you carers, look after yourselves, we are all our loved ones have.
Mik1929.
 

Tin

Registered User
May 18, 2014
4,820
0
UK
Does not seem normal to get a written diagnosis, from mums 1st visit to memory clinic then scan and 2nd memory clinic visit last month, I had to pester gp and consultant to get something, all we've had is verbal confirmation.
 

jeany123

Registered User
Mar 24, 2012
19,034
0
74
Durham
No we never had a written diagnosis either it will be in GPs notes though,
It was over 6 years ago so might have changed by now,
 
Last edited:

Pickles53

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
2,474
0
Radcliffe on Trent
Mum's consultant sent a detailed post-diagnosis letter to her GP and also sent me a copy. I thought this was the norm for any specialist appointment as GP has to be notified of outcome of any referral. I'd ask for written confirmation.
 

Pegsdaughter

Registered User
Oct 7, 2014
128
0
London
Consultant wrote up the diagnosis visit and then sent me and the gp a copy. I was then able to send a copy to my brother so he was in no doubt how bad mum was.


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henfenywfach

Registered User
May 23, 2013
332
0
rct
no written diagnosis either

my wife has been diagnosed with alzheimers but I have not had any written confirmation. Is this usual? Before she was diagnosed there were six years of aggresion, both verbal and physical, but the gp did not seem to want to give a dianosis. After a great deal of pressure she was diagnosed and is now on medication. The aggression still surfaces fairly regularly and her memory is going fast.
My question about confirmation is because her family, all now in their seventies/eighties sometimes query, from a distance, if she really has dementia and it would help if there was something in writing.
All you carers, look after yourselves, we are all our loved ones have.
Mik1929.

I believe it s not unusual not to have a written diagnosis. The consultant always says I ll write to the gp. I suppose we could've asked for a copy. I would've asked the gp anyway if we needed it. we made sure that the dementia diagnosis was registered on the dementia register as this puts a flag on the medical records to confirm they have dementia. this is important as mistakes do happen and we got fed up explaining to professionals. lets face it the family are probably like millions of others that say well he or she doesn't look like they have dementia. or hes marvellous isn't he? really well remind me to ring you when im exhausted and see how well you think hes doing then.

I suppose as a form of denial it can be hard for people to accept but diagnosing dementia is kind of best guess really as people are so different and have different symptoms at different times..have you got a helpcard I have dementia be patient etc? If you haven't got power of attorney or written permission on the medical file the gp or hospital wouldn't give you the information legally carer or partner or not because of confidentiality..red tape!!!!! boo!!!
respect to all carers you deserve medals for courage and strength. carers Olympics be blowed!!!! good luck to all