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You know yourself and perhaps the family member you care for better than anyone else. Where there are instances where health just doesn't seem to be improving or something just doesn't seem right, sometimes you must be the "squeaky wheel".
Terry was having bouts of sleeplessness, anxiety, poor appetite and just didn't want to participate in the usual activities. After several calls to her physician by her son, the physician said it was probably just her Alzheimer's going into a different stage. The doctor prescribed a new medication and hoped the symptoms would improve. After two weeks of no improvement and escalated feelings of panic, Terry was sent to a psychiatric hospital for review. On the first day there, she left a group session, went back to her room and proceeded to drink two bottles of shampoo and eat a tube of toothpaste. After this incident Terry regretted what happened and said she just wanted to get better. The hospital released Terry a few days later with a change in medication only for sleep.
Several days later all of the previous issues returned. The son initiated four appointments in the span of one day to two doctors, a nurse and a crises team. As the result of the son's persistence in knowing something just wasn't right, Terry was placed on medication for severe depression and anxiety. One would think that the stay at the psychiatric hospital would have resulted in this action. However, Terry, when receiving attention is a different person. It was difficult for the physicians to see the "real" Terry. The Terry her son and others saw daily.
This is where you and the family have a responsibility to speak up for the person in need. You must give physicians and other health professionals exact descriptions and information about the health of the person including discussing contradictory behavior. You must stand up for the person for whom you provide care even if you must disagree with how that person "sees" themselves. Be the squeaky wheel.
Copyright 2011 Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved.
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