I'm making a little progress with my brother

elainechem

Today, his doctor's office actually called me back for the first time. They're going to send me a copy of the neuropsych report. They're calling it "mild" dementia. As we all know, it doesn't stay mild. It always progresses. I asked them to put me down as an emergency contact. They'll probably have to confirm that with him, but I think they'll call me in any case since he did sign a HIPAA release.

eaglemom

Now this is finally some good news - the doctor's office doing what they are suppose to do! Now isn't that just sad that we get excited when they do their job? None the less, that's progress. Since he's singed the forms I think your good. Pat yourself on the back.

eagle

elainechem

There's a lot more going on with my brother. I posted about it on the spouse/partner board just because there are more people there. Anyway, the family is now very concerned about his plans to go on a cross-country road trip by himself. He plans on leaving toward the end of October. His final destination is his stepdaughter's place in Florida. She and her husband are expecting their second baby on October 10. This really isn't a good time for her to be getting a visit from her now demented stepfather. We have tried to convince him to delay his trip until spring possibly, but he isn't budging. He actually told his daughter, "I know that it isn't a good time for you, but it's a good time for me." This total lack of empathy is uncharacteristic of him. He raised this woman. He would have given up his life for her in the past. This is more evidence of his progression. So, in order to throw a monkey wrench into his plans, I emailed the DMV in his state and included the part of his neuropsychological report that spoke about his driving. She wrote that he should limit his driving and not to drive after dark. They emailed me back and said that he has to get a form completed by his doctor to certify whether he can still drive and what restrictions he should have. I think the neuro indicated that he should only drive locally. A road trip of thousands of miles doesn't fit the bill. I still haven't heard whether he has gotten the news from them. They gave him six months to get the form completed. I'll contact him in a month. If he is still dead set on taking this trip, I plan on driving to his house and taking him on the trip, doing most, if not all, of the driving. Sigh. I am not looking forward to that. I also contacted Adult Protective Services. They have opened a file on him. There isn't anything they can do at this point, but they'll keep their eyes on him.

elainechem

I also faxed his PCP's office with all of this information. I'm praying that his doctor will at least limit his driving to local.

Victoriaredux

Good work Elaine. I always wonder what data Doctors use when they think "local driving" is fine for a PWD.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4375775/

Take away : "We demonstrate that three quarters of motor vehicle collisions in which patients met triage criteria for trauma center transport occurred within 10 miles of patients’ homes, and half of all fatal collisions involving vehicles occur within 5.5 miles of victims’ location of residence. "

elainechem

I know, but I live 385 miles away from him. I can't take away his car keys from here. I just don't want him to dissappear in the middle of rural Texas or something. I'm actually considering kidnapping him. I could offer to drive on his trip to Florida. The first stop will be my house in Albuquerque. The next day, I'll get sick or the car will break down and I'll be trying to get an emergency guardianship order.

Victoriaredux

Oh gosh Elaine— you are doing tremendous things for your brother , and those around him . It's the "local driving is ok" thing that some Doctor use that bugs me. Your "side trip" plan sounds like a winner. Sending you best wishes.