Just took my Mum who has Alzheimer’s to an annual dementia review. The last one was nearly two years ago, but I appreciate the pressure GP surgeries are under. That being said, I couldn’t really see the value of it in my mum’s case and would be interested to hear of other experiences.
When we arrived, I explained that I was her daughter and had LPA for health. Also, before the appointment I had a nurse ring me to confirm the apointment and I explained that my mum would struggle to understand any questions she was asked and communicate answers.
The assessment comprised of a very lovely nurse filling in a form on the computer. The appointment was for 45 mins and we were in there for 35. Questions were directed at my Mum that she did not understand and could not answer, for example, Has your memory got worse? The nurse was reluctant to recognise any discrete input from me.
Despite me explaining that Mum was in A&E last week with a suspected hip fracture after a fall and uses a walker (when she remembers) due to muscle atrophy in her leg diagnosed after a number of falls, the nurse came to the conclusion she was no longer a high risk for falls. I told her I disagree. I’m not sure of the implications of putting this on the form, but it did seem strange to me that she was keen to put her as a low risk level. I spoke to the Manager of the retirement home where she lives, who was very surprised. Their assessment has her as a high risk for falls.
I was horrified when the nurse asked my Mum who clearly does not have capacity to consider adding DNR to her record. She backed off when I stepped in and explained my Mum did not understand the question.. Whilst I agree, in some cases that DNR is an appropriate discussion, my concern is whether this decision should be directed at someone who does not have capacity and understand what is being said to them.
With no positive outcomes or advice from the appointment, I felt that the exercise was merely to fill in a form to satisfy the annual dementia review, and the time could have been better served all round. Has anyone had a more positive experience?
Apologies, rant over.
When we arrived, I explained that I was her daughter and had LPA for health. Also, before the appointment I had a nurse ring me to confirm the apointment and I explained that my mum would struggle to understand any questions she was asked and communicate answers.
The assessment comprised of a very lovely nurse filling in a form on the computer. The appointment was for 45 mins and we were in there for 35. Questions were directed at my Mum that she did not understand and could not answer, for example, Has your memory got worse? The nurse was reluctant to recognise any discrete input from me.
Despite me explaining that Mum was in A&E last week with a suspected hip fracture after a fall and uses a walker (when she remembers) due to muscle atrophy in her leg diagnosed after a number of falls, the nurse came to the conclusion she was no longer a high risk for falls. I told her I disagree. I’m not sure of the implications of putting this on the form, but it did seem strange to me that she was keen to put her as a low risk level. I spoke to the Manager of the retirement home where she lives, who was very surprised. Their assessment has her as a high risk for falls.
I was horrified when the nurse asked my Mum who clearly does not have capacity to consider adding DNR to her record. She backed off when I stepped in and explained my Mum did not understand the question.. Whilst I agree, in some cases that DNR is an appropriate discussion, my concern is whether this decision should be directed at someone who does not have capacity and understand what is being said to them.
With no positive outcomes or advice from the appointment, I felt that the exercise was merely to fill in a form to satisfy the annual dementia review, and the time could have been better served all round. Has anyone had a more positive experience?
Apologies, rant over.
