Family member is in a new assisted living facility. I am told by their physician on staff they have no diagnosis from previous Dr., but will treat dementia with current medication. Should she be reevaluated? The Dr. at the facility says that is not necessary. I am overseeing her health care and feel a diagnosis could be helpful. I have asked requested information from previous Dr. but get no response. I felt present Physician Assistant would have better results but they do not feel it is necessary. What should I do? Meryl
If you are not the medical PoA for this relative, and no one is, then they may eventually become a ward of a 3rd party legal guardian in order for someone to legally manage their affairs and make decisions in their best interest.
There are no medications that cure or treat dementia. Usually one's primary physician would administer all sorts of tests (including lab work) to make sure the symptoms aren't from treatable health problems, like a UTI, diabetes, vitamin deficiency, high blood pressure, etc) and also a memory and cognitive exam.
The meds that are usually prescribed for people with dementia are for depression, anxiety, agitation, aggression, or sleep disorders.
In my experience one should always start with an accurate diagnosis to get the best treatments. If I were in your situation and had the legal power to do so, I would take your LO in for a thorough exam so that the results can be recorded in their medical record and be used as a reference so they can get the most informed decisions for treatment or therapies by their doctor.
And if you can't, I just wouldn't allow her to be medicated willy nilly.
And if it's medications that are supposed to "slow the progression" of dementia, please know that those usually don't do a thing except upset ones stomach. And for the few that it does help it usually only does for the first 6 months or so.
I wish you well in getting this all figured out for your loved one.