Mum had her 6 month check up at the memory clinic recently. The word 'efficient' doesn't spring to mind when we attend, although everyone is very kind. Generally, we leave the clinic with still unanswered questions and so prior to this appointment, as I was loath to leave my queries another 6 months, I wrote a letter to the Dr to describe how Mum was, and to ask questions which I don't feel comfortable asking with Mum present. I also asked to be interviewed separately to ptrotect Mum from listening to what I see as telling tales about her.
We were all called in together (had she got my letter then, I wondered?) and commenced the consultaion ..first asking Mum various things, then asking us -the very thing I didn't want! After a lot of awkwardness, I had to answer these questions until my husband butted in and asked if she had received my letter. No. She continued with the questions, but then suddenly stopped and asked what my Mum's name was. She was momentarily thrown, and I could see on the notes that she had the wrong notes in front of her. At this stage, I think she should have owned up (these things happen, we are only human), but she carried on in what became a very harassed manner ....making her notes on a piece of paper by then, and not the notes she had already started.
I asked what mum's MMSE score was this time (I felt there had been some sort of decline), and she seemed to pluck a number from mid-air, saying that she was slightly worse. The last time we attended and I asked what the score was, she asked me why I wanted to know, and was VERY reluctant to say. When I insisted, she seemed to make a wild guess. So if she didn't have an accurate score last time, how could she tell what it was this time, as no thorough test was done!
So once again, we left with still unanswered questions, and a feeling that this appointment was a waste of time. I know the MMSE isn't too important, but I would like to know, more or less where Mum is in this disease. I think she's now bordering on the beginning of the moderate stage, but I just don't know. I would much prefer facts than to be left guessing....
Sorry, but just had to tell someone.
We were all called in together (had she got my letter then, I wondered?) and commenced the consultaion ..first asking Mum various things, then asking us -the very thing I didn't want! After a lot of awkwardness, I had to answer these questions until my husband butted in and asked if she had received my letter. No. She continued with the questions, but then suddenly stopped and asked what my Mum's name was. She was momentarily thrown, and I could see on the notes that she had the wrong notes in front of her. At this stage, I think she should have owned up (these things happen, we are only human), but she carried on in what became a very harassed manner ....making her notes on a piece of paper by then, and not the notes she had already started.
I asked what mum's MMSE score was this time (I felt there had been some sort of decline), and she seemed to pluck a number from mid-air, saying that she was slightly worse. The last time we attended and I asked what the score was, she asked me why I wanted to know, and was VERY reluctant to say. When I insisted, she seemed to make a wild guess. So if she didn't have an accurate score last time, how could she tell what it was this time, as no thorough test was done!
So once again, we left with still unanswered questions, and a feeling that this appointment was a waste of time. I know the MMSE isn't too important, but I would like to know, more or less where Mum is in this disease. I think she's now bordering on the beginning of the moderate stage, but I just don't know. I would much prefer facts than to be left guessing....
Sorry, but just had to tell someone.