How to get her to the doctor? - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

TexasCookie · 09-16-2005, 08:43 AM

First of all I'm sorry that I only seem to post with problems but I just don't have the time to spend here

How do you get someone togo to the doctor when they don't think there is anything wrong in the first place? My mom doens't understand that she needs to go in for checkups every few months and it's always a fight to get her to go, I usually end up hollering if you don't go I'm moving out then I feel bad for gettingupset in the first place.

Also can anyone tell me if its normal for AD patients to ALWAYS feel cold? We fight over the AC all the time and I'm really fed up with it. I also babysit my 10 month old grandson who has a problem with heat so on those mornings the AC is turned on about 9am and the mom comes out of her room bundled up in a jacket.

I need a vacation LOL

LuvMyLilDoggie · 09-16-2005, 09:35 AM

I don't know if it's AD that causes coldness but my dad is the same way. He wears sweatshirts sometimes when the AC is on.

I have noticed that sometimes he complains that he's hot when he's wearing a sweatshirt and heavy jeans. I have to tell him to change into a t-shirt.

Winter is when we had the "battles" over the thermostat. He kept turning it up to 80 or MORE! My son accidentally broke the thermostat a couple of months ago. I thanked him! That gives me reason to buy a new one. I'll buy a digital one so dad can't change it. He doesn't mess with anything that's digital. That's why we replaced his old AC with two window AC's (the furnace is so old it's not AC adaptable) with digital display. He doesn't know how to turn them on and off and he's afraid they'll break if he touches them. Am I mean or what?! LOL!!!

But hey, it worked!

The doctor visit can be tricky. My dad pretty much complies with doctor's orders so I don't have a problem there.

Oooh the time. Have to go back to work. I'll post again later.

Love, Barb

Martha H · 09-16-2005, 11:14 AM

Dear Texas ..you might have to use a 'ruse' (also known as a little white lie) .. tell her the doctor called and wants to tell her something in person. Or tell her YOU have an appointment and want her to come along for company. Or tell her you are going for a flu shot. Anythig .. just to get her there.

AD makes a liar out of us sooner or later ... even just agreeing with the person when they tell you they just saw Aunt Tillie who is doing fine (knowing she died in 1988) makes us a bit of a co conspirator ..but it's self defense! Why have two mixed up people? I am SURE the normal person can get AD or a similar bunch of symptoms just by being 24/7 with the addled person ...

Love,

Martha

angel_bear · 09-16-2005, 04:19 PM

That's the way I got MIL to see a doctor a few times, I would take her shopping (always good therapy LOL) and then say "OMG .. I've got a Doctors appointment, quick let's go" and not give her time to 'think' about it .. we would leap into the car, and dash off to the doctors ... and he would call me in and then 'notice' MIL and give her a big hello and tell her to come in too .... which, when invited, is rude to decline LOL .. so she would come in with me ..

Doctor would 'do' me first, and then say "Let's see how you BP is doing dear" .. and voila .. he's got her. She's happy cause she didn't HAVE to see him, but knows he cares and gave her attention.

It's the same way BIL got her to the nurse last week to check for a Urinary Tract Infection .. YOU HUSTLE .. don't give them time to think, don't give them warning ...

Works here LOL ... you will learn stealth and cunning and you will learn how to be one step ahead .. and that's just to keep them SAFE !!! The rest is just a miracle LOL

Hugs
Sally

Sandyspen · 09-16-2005, 07:19 PM

My Mom use to say "NO" to anything I suggested. Doctor.....whatever.

It was very hard, cause the Mom is the boss. But I tried a new tack and it's worked for months. I no longer ask her, instead I tell her.

I'll say, "Mom, you have to get ready today. Your doctor's appt is at noon."

She's always surprised, no matter what I tell her, because she doesn't remember 5 minutes ago. So she'll say, "Oh, I have to go to the doctor?"

I make light of it then. "Yeah, just a checkup. No big deal." Smile happily and she starts getting dressed.

It's the same with shopping, attorneys, hairdresser, any appt.

I never ask her. But just tell her to get ready. Most often, she thinks she made the appointment and forgot about it.

You do what works!