My mother has been showing signs of dementia for a while now. She now is starting to talk to people who are not there. And she has made comments about our 3rd floor walls being wet or covered in ice, which were not true. I grew up in this house the walls never feel wet, let alone have ice on them! There are other signs as well.
So, I called my mother's Dr and talked to the receptionist and told her who I was and who I was calling about. I went on telling her that I understand the HIPPA laws, & Dr & Pt confidentiality laws. I stated "I am not calling about any of my mother's health conditions, nor her treatments."
I explain my concerns to the receptionist and asked, could she put a note in my mother's file to check for dementia "memory test" and for a "CBC" infections.
The receptionist told me "no", there was nothing she could do, just that I could go to my mother's appt with her. I explained to this lady that my mother won't let me, and she said, "sorry can't help you".
Than I asked the receptionist not to tell my mother that I called because it will start a fight between my mother & me, and she could get very aggressive and could possibly do something to me. The receptionist said, "sorry I have to tell her, because you have inquired about her medical condition." I told her " I didn't and I was very clear about that. The receptionist said, "well, I will tell her you called". I said, "ok, but you are starting a problem." She said, "oh well, you shouldn't have called" and went on to tell me to have a good day. Ugh
What am I to do to get my mother the help she needs if no one listens to me? And why would the receptionist have to tell her?
I feel like I am watching a train wreck & nobody sees it or will listen to me.
Maybe I am just asking for too much! I'll just wait for my mother to go into a frizzy or fall before I can help her. I know my mother will get violent with me at some point!
Why would the receptionist need to tell my mother? Again, I never asked any questions about my mother's healthcare!
Just needed to vent! Ugh
A couple of ideas for you to open communication up with the doctor, in addition to what you said in your follow-up post: You might help your mom fill out a request for release of information form (get it at the doctor's office, some facilities have them accessible online), naming on the form information to be released specifically as being verbal communication between you and the doctor(s) at the facility. Another important consideration is does your mom have someone lined up as medical power of attorney in the event she is unable to speak for herself, make decisions, etc.? My mom had done that, I am one of children who's assigned as POA, I received a copy of the documentation for myself, and even though she is continuing to do much on her own though more limited due to aging changes and dementia, that legal form allows me a way to communicate with those in the medical profession treating my mom. Even though mom is still able to make many decisions on her own and live independently with help, I have used power of attorney a couple of times just to be sure and facilitate records transferral from primary care to new primary care and then primary care to neurologist; that in itself - records transferring, filling out forms, had been too much for mom to handle and follow through with at that time.
On another note, I am one of those people, who works in (medical records) in a healthcare facility, who is obligated to protect the patient's privacy and unable to proceed with releasing information (paper form, not verbal) without a valid signed authorization for release of protected health information. The main thing is is that once we get the authorization in hand and it's scanned in the chart, the process can flow and the care can go uninterrupted. Check your state's laws and specifics re: release of protected health information. It will be helpful. Good luck with everything. Hoping your mom is safe and sound.