My mother is exhibiting rapidly increasing symptoms of cognitive decline and we have been unable to find a way to get her assessed her in our area (we are in Austin, Texas). The neurologists she contacted last year all either did not accept Medicare or were not accepting new patients. She no longer seems to have the ability to follow up on this on her own, so I have been trying to help. With her permission, I've been looking for a neurology program on her behalf. I've run in to the same issue she did last year. I finally reached out to the Bigg's Institute, in San Antonio (90 minutes from us) who said they require receipt of her medical records, along with a written referral that indicates her symptoms are likely dementia-related before they will schedule an appointment, and that the appointment would be at least several months out. They said she would likely simply end up on a waiting list. I believe she needs to be assessed quickly, especially since she is rapidly losing insight into her situation.
Can anybody recommend a program anywhere in the US (we are willing to travel) that seems to have availability -- or has the "silver tsunami" already drowned availability everywhere? Any recommendations that might be helpful are tremendously appreciated. I'm not sure where to start looking, at the moment.
Thanks!
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations/directions/205-cleveland-clinic-lou-ruvo-center-for-brain-health-las-vegas
Also, call the Area Agency on Aging in mom's location. They do an assessment of needs which is a place to start. They may have suggestions on your other questions as well.
And do get her checked for a UTI.
You do not need a neurologist for a dementia diagnosis. My mom never saw neurologist, Her geriatric doc did all of that, including treating of symptoms. Remember there is no cure or medication that slows the decline. All that can be done it treat symptoms.
Another option might be to check into any research opportunities that may be available in her area.
https://www.alz.org/research
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/do-memory-problems-always-mean-alzheimers-disease
https://www.pnpcenter.com/
Ask for MRI or CT Scan of the Alzheimer's brain.
welcome to Obama care
UT Health Austin
https://uthealthaustin.org › clinics › cognitive-disorders
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And Medicaid providers for my nephew is getting harder. The two Optometrists in the area retired. He has to go to a nearby town for dental. He does not drive so he is limited to how far he can go. Me, I will no longer drive in unfamiliar places.
I have a bill from my colonoscopy. The doctor did not charge an exorbitant fee but he got hardly anything for the procedure. Medicare needs to get up with the times.
It might be "easier" to discount other causes of her cognitive decline first: check for UTI, vitamin deficiency, dehydration, thyroid issues, diabetes, over- or under-medicating of meds; stroke, HBP, etc.
If she does have dementia there is little that can be done about it anyway. And yes, there is a huge increased demand for medical care driven by our aging population PLUS we are approx. 30K doctors short due to the cost/debt of Medical schools, not to mention the US doesn't make it easy for foreign doctors to transition their licenses to the States.
I am so glad your Mom has an advocate like you, and I hope against hope that others here have some useful advice for you. I wish I did. I hope you will update us.
It was one of the very best things we were able to do for her.
The process was initiated by doing a brief but very effective cognitive assessment, followed by small judicious amounts of carefully selected medications, and tips to the staff about behavioral management.
Hope you can find something helpful for her.