Alzheimer’s Patients, Families Need Answers

Patients and families grappling with Alzheimer’s disease frequently complain about a communications gap with doctors. And a national survey conducted earlier this year for the Alzheimer’s Assn. confirmed that doctors seem to think they’re doing a better job at answering questions and making referrals for Alzheimer’s support services than the patients and families think they are.

Now the Alzheimer’s Assn.’s Los Angeles chapter and the California Department of Health Services are launching the nation’s first program to help family members and patients in early stages of the disease do a better job of getting their questions and concerns addressed by primary care doctors.

The two-year pilot program, “Working With Your Doctor When You Suspect Memory Problems,” includes Spanish-and English-language instructional booklets as well as two-hour educational workshops in hospitals, seniors centers, adult day care centers and other locations. The program is expected to reach about 20,000 people.

“It will be usable by people of limited literacy, as well as the highly literate,” said Debra Cherry, associate executive director of the L.A. chapter of the Alzheimer’s Assn.

Workshop participants will watch a videotape featuring actors in scenarios they might expect to encounter when dealing with doctors. Among the tips they’ll hear is to keep a record of changes in the patient’s behavior and to always bring all medications or a complete log of all medications to the doctor’s appointment.

For information on the program nearest you, call the Alzheimer’s Assn. at (800) 660-1993. You will be connected with the closest chapter.