Finding the right doctor

"A positive relationship with your doctor can make you healthier." University of Iowa psychologist Alan Christensen, Ph.D.

It is important that we find doctors who will respect our needs as caregivers as well as the needs of the care receivers.  Of course, we will want our own doctors who support our own health too, but even the ones that are primarily for the care receiver need to support our needs too.  The psychiatrist at Mayo who made the definitive diagnosis of Lewy Bodies Dementia with Dwane was able to do so because he listened to me describe the symptoms.  People who have dementia are not accurate reporters of their symptoms or their behaviors.  The caregiver is the person who can describe those, and we - as caregivers - need to find doctors who will give credence to what we say is happening in daily life.  We need to feel respected and heard by the doctor.  In that way, the needs of the care receiver and our needs are both met.  I think it is important that we not settle for less than that.