Choosing a Alzheimer’s doctor and paying care bills

sunshine5

DH has early Alzheimer’s and had seizures. The neurologist treats seizures & prescribed Keppra. He doesn’t treat AD or memory issues.

 Which dr would be suitable for AD?

Also what legal documents should be in place?

How does one afforded the monthly bill of $8000. Per month in Virginia for care community?

Crushed

1) I have never heard of a "neurologist" who did not treat Alzheimer's .  Your doctor is abandoning their patient. Or is perhaps actually not a neurologist . see below

2) you need an elder care lawyer "yesterday"

3) Alzheimer's is a total financial disaster for most people.  Medicaid is your only lifeboat and that requires skilled legal help . DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE ELSE

4) what are your ages ?

the current podcast on   https://www.neurology.org/   is

Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostics & Treatments (Neurology Recall June 2021)

This month's replay of past episodes showcases a selection of interviews on updates in Alzheimer's disease diagnostics and the impact of future therapies, featuring Drs. Michael Weiner, Randall Bateman, Erik Musiek, Joseph Therriault, and Yvette Sheline.  

June 2, 2021 Issue

Neurology, Journal, Podcast

lead article in current issue of neurology

  https://n.neurology.org/content/96/22/e2673

June 01, 2021; 96 (22) ArticleOpen Access

Finding Treatment Effects in Alzheimer Trials in the Face of Disease Progression Heterogeneity

 IMHO A "neurologist" who does not treat Alzheimer's is like a ob/gyn who only treats men

 

Joe C.

Sunshine5, My DW’s original neurologist explained to me that Alzheimer’s was not her particular area of expertise and offered a referral to another physician whose primary focus was Alzheimer’s (although she never said she would not treat DW). Perhaps you could ask the original neurologist such a referral.

Crushed’s advice on seeing a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) as soon as possible is on point. At a minimum you will need to establish a Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy & Wills. Even if you had previously had some/all of these legal documents in place they probably need to be updated given your husbands recent diagnosis. Putting off seeing a CELA could have devastating impacts down the roads.

harshedbuzz

I wonder if you should be seeing 2 neurologists. Back in the day when my now 27 year old son was first diagnosed with autism, a number of my support group mom-friends had kids on spectrum who had seizures who saw both a neurologist who specialized them and another (this was when developmental and neurodevelopmental pediatrics were in its infancy and most kids were diagnosed by neurologists) who consulted on autism-related matters. 

Pretty much every neurologist we've seen is a sub-specialist- my mother has one who manages her scoliosis and spine and a neuro-ophthalmologist who deals with her optic nerve issues. Her psychiatrist is dually certified and used to work mostly with people who have suffered TBIs. 

HB

sunshine5

U r right. The neurologist field was seizure/ epilepsy. He did refer us to a neurologist who specializes in AD. I was under the impression all neurologist dealt with AD since it’s a brain related issue.

Thanks to every one who replied.

I have the power of attorney & will in place. I will try and have elder law attorney to look them over. I wonder how much is the cost? 

Our property and bank accounts are in joint names.

Crushed

for everyone just to be clear.  IMHO Medical conditions which are clearly separate  may be treated by different subspecialists  But epilepsy and Alzheimer's do not  separate that way.  They are true comorbidities 

I do agree that a referral of the entire case to a proper specialist is appropriate. that is the Dr. obligation 

The patients needs always come first

Joe C.

Sunshine, I have found the CELA in my area will provide a 1 hour consult for free at which time they will review what you have in place. If changes are required the they will provide the cost for that legal work.

sunshine5

Thanks so much Joe.

At present DH in denial of AD, says I a make it worse. He doesn’t have any memory problems.

He can’t even remember where the dishes go after being in the same house for 18 years!