Is Your Mom’s Doctor Always Right? How Do You Know When to Refuse a Recommendation?
Once you hold medical power of attorney, there may come a time you need to advocate for your mom. She may have been in an accident and is unconscious. If she has Alzheimer’s disease, you’ll be the one taking her to appointments and discussing prescriptions and care.
Elderly Care in Winchester City VA: Is Your Doctor Always Right?
From time to time, you may not agree with something your mom’s doctor says. What happens then? Can you refuse to do something the doctor recommends?
Why Might You Disagree?
One area of disagreement involves medications. First, they can be costly, even with insurance, which makes them hard for seniors to afford. Second, the side effects can be alarming.
Here’s a situation where a daughter questioned her mom’s doctor. Her mother had Alzheimer’s disease and became extremely agitated during a yearly exam. The primary care doctor decided lorazepam was the best treatment method for that agitation. The daughter got nervous as her mom’s memory care doctor said lorazepam was not safe since her mom liked to have a glass of wine with meals.
She had two conflicting opinions, but she trusted the memory care doctor more. Until she’d had both doctors discuss the pros and cons as a team, she wasn’t going to follow the primary care physician’s recommendation.
It’s okay to refuse the first recommendation and ask for more information and a second opinion. The doctor may not be thrilled that you don’t trust his or her input, but you are advocating for your mom. You need to do what’s right. If a second opinion shows you need to do as the first doctor recommends, you have the extra information you need to follow through.
Make Sure You Remain Calm and Polite
You may be frustrated and angry, but you can’t let that affect your interactions with your mom’s doctor. Stay calm and explain what makes you uncomfortable. It’s very likely that the doctor will take the extra time to address your questions or concerns. If the doctor is dismissive, it may be a good time to find a doctor that has a better bedside manner.
Make senior care services part of your advocacy team. You can’t be with your mom all the time. You need to take breaks for your own household responsibilities. With a caregiver there when you can’t be, you have someone else to share opinions on how your mom is doing and to make sure she’s taking medications that she does need.
Senior care helps your mom remain independent without forgoing her safety. Call an agency to discuss the range of services available to her.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elderly Care in Winchester City, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Call Us Today at (703) 634-9991.
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