Okay, do you remember the story of my friend’s dad who “we” believe may have sundowners? See original post here Is it Alzheimer’s?

I volunteered to do some research since I’m on the computer all day – and can easily find “local” elder care resources such as Alzheimer’s care, medical clinics that do Alz testing, etc. Then I forwarded the info to her. My friend read through the research and looked at the suggested websites.. she walked away thinking .. “a great place to start”.

Thinking it would be a great resource for her parents to review, she printed it all out and gave the research to her dad and mom. He had a scheduled appointment with his family physician several days later, took the research with him, and asked “doc, do you think it’s a good idea for me to get further testing since I STILL can’t sleep at night.. even after taking the prescribed sleeping pills?”

The response he got from his doctor that morning continues to astonish me… the doctor replied to her dad saying “No, no one can test for Alzheimer’s or dementia. It can’t be proved, so, don’t bother.” He may be correct. Because in the past, the Alzheimer’s Association discouraged testing, but it has relaxed its stance in the past few years, largely because of reports from the Reveal study. More on the Reveal study. And another interesting read Learning of Risk of Alzheimer’s Seems to Do No Harm.

But I question the doctor’s answer.. because my friend’s dad wants to know from an expert.. not necessarily if he has Alzheimer’s or dementia… but “what the heck is wrong with me since I get totally whacked out anxious at nightfall and literally get so confused to the point that I don’t know where I am!!??”

So, anyone out there reading this… what do you suggest? I know you may say if her dad really wants to know he’d take it upon himself and make an appointment with a specialist. Well that may be true for you and I because we come from a different generation than someone who is 90 years of age! They just don’t think that way.. what the doctor says is the golden rule, unfortunately.

So, want to know what the doctor suggested to my friend’s dad? Gave him a higher dosage of sleeping meds.

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