What specialist does he need?

Jazzma

I am trying to line up an Alzheimer's specialist to evaluate my husband and prescribe/monitor medications. I'm at a loss as to what specialty I should be looking at. Neurologist? Psychologist? Psychiatrist? Neuro-pharmacologist? Is that even a thing? He had a psychiatrist while he was hospitalized, but now it's just his primary care physician. What's your experience and advice? He is a late stage 5/early stage 6, currently in memory care after a hospital stay. I'd like to bring him home but want to make sure I have good medical advice and backup. Thanks.

Caro_Lynne

In my experience, my LO's geriatric psychiatrist is the most helpful; I was lucky to find one that has experience with dementia. He sees him monthly and adjusts/changes meds if and as needed. I take him to his PCP every three months for everything else. Honestly, his neurologist was not very helpful so I don't even take him to see him anymore. The neuro psychologist administered cognitive tests (was supposed to be three hours or so, my LO lasted 30 minutes) however he was not able to prescribe medication. Hope this helps.

harshedbuzz

@Jazzma IMO, a geriatric psychiatrist is the specialist in prescribing psychoactive meds in the context of dementia. If you can't find one, a neurologist who specializes in dementia would be my next choice. I know folks who managed their LOs with SSRIs from the PCP, but for bigger guns like atypical antipsychotics a specialist would be better.

Does the MCF have a geripsych or gerontologist affiliated with them? Dad's did. Does psychiatrist from the hospital see patients in an office? If they don't, could they refer you to one who does?

HB

Quilting brings calm

Mom has a PCP, an NP in neurology, and psych residents at a local teaching hospital. The NP handles her memory issues and the psych residents treat her anxiety and depression with medication. She does not do talk therapy since she wouldn’t tenement the sessions. She also has a neurologist that specializes in neuropathy since she has that in her legs and feet, and a pulmonologist for lung issues. In addition, she gets speech, memory, occupational and physical therapy from therapists who are at her assisted living facility.

storycrafter

Neuropsychologist who did cognitive testing was most helpful for us in diagnosing. Psychiatrist was most helpful in managing meds. Neurologist gave a little input about meds but wasn't that helpful. Once all those were done and things stabilized, now the gp/primary care doctor just does the prescriptions. We no longer see the specialists unless some drastic change occurs.