It is annoying not to mention the need to take your picture, degrading questions they ask you, the memory test and sometimes the tone as if speaking to a child or someone with dementia etc. It's belittling and insulting. I am not a number, and it shows the lack of personalized care. I've decided to refuse to engage in anything that diminishes me as a fully functioning person.
Is it not you that's making and keeping these appointments? Only you can make and keep these appointments unless you are actually unable to and someone else is making them for you. And if that's the case, then I guess I can understand why the doctors are giving you some memory tests.
If you don't need to be seeing your doctors so often, and it's you making these appointments, then just stop making them. It's really quite the easy solution.
Humana calls me on a somewhat regular basis, wanting to do a in home check, agreed to one 7 years ago, it was a joke for me,
One of the questions was " Do you still drive"? Yes, also drive a 40ft motorhome and tow a car by myself...."Oh My, how do you do that"?...then she says "I would be so afraid"!
Along with the other questions, I wrote that off my list of things to do.
Moms PCP had her coming every two months. In my State its required that you see the Dr every 6 months for med refills. I took her to the appt. A nurse, family friend asked me why Mom was there again. I said I did not know but if he asks "So why are we here today?" It will be the last time she comes back unless she is sick or needs refills. He asked and I told him because he requested to see her in 2 months. No appt was made after that appt. Walked right out the door.
You have a right to say NO. No to ur picture being taken, no to the cognitive test, no to answering degrading questions. Also, asking you not being talked to like a child. If therebis nothing major going on with your heath, like something they need to watch, I see no reason for appts 3 or 4x a year.
I am sorry if you experienced age-ism in regards to your health care. They are required to ask the depression questions and other "lifestyle" questions, continence, falls, etc. They sound very nosy but mainly they're just asking some of this stuff because they have a template to fill out in the chart.
I was lucky enough to find a geriatric medicine specialist for my mom- I am NOT saying you are geriatric- but I was happy with the approach and interaction they had with her. They did not talk over her head to me when we went in and did not patronize her. She lived to be 101 and did indeed get dementia but she was always spoken to kindly and with respect.
I hope you find a general practitioner, internal medicine provider or whoever- that treats you with respect and dignity.
Mom will need an X-ray, then they see something, then an ultrasound, then blood work, then oops, more X-rays because they didn't x-ray the right spot. All to find nothing.
Some aging people really like to go to the doctors, it makes them feel better and less worry.
Maybe explain to your doctor that you want to cut down on the appointments.
I had to explain to my mom , can we get the blood work done on the same day as the bone scan, instead of the day after at the same address.
I've also seen younger people talk to older people like children it is annoying and disrespectful.
I would definitely continue with the memory care appointments.
But talk to your doctor that all these appointments make you feel like you have a part time job.
For certain your doctor must, according to Medicare RULES now, see you once a year at least to speak with you, and this fulfills the stipulation that they check mentation once yearly.
Can you tell us why your doctor is asking to see you so often?
Other than blood pressure, what ongoing problems, if any, do you have?
I always wonder if there was more to getting older than doctors. 😆.
I try not to complain to her much, the one time I do complain will be the one time she really needed to go so , I don't say much
I'm sorry you had a poor experience. I live in MN and it seems after every visit I get a letter or email survey sent to me. See if your network or clinic has such a thing. Give constructive criticism and then offer a way you'd improve it.
You have "HBP and other age-related stuff..." like what stuff, exactly? Obviously something your docs think you should keep an eye on. You currently "... live alone, take care of myself, drive, shop etc" -- that's great! Until you can't! If you are by yourself then all the more reason to stay on top of your health... even if it means "annoying" check-ins 3-4 times a year. Some people in other countries would give anything to have medical access like that...
I do get "carded" every time I go (I have to show my photo ID). It's a pain but it's because people abuse the system (people allow others who haven't paid into the medical insurance to pretend they are that person or on their coverage).
Also, here's another perspective: I've been to other countries with dismal healthcare ("free" or "national"): having to bribe doctors (Hungary), having incredibly long wait times for important surgeries; not up on the latest treatments, lack of facilities and clinic, etc. Although here in the States our system is far from perfect, it's still pretty darn good compared to many others.
Up until recently, the Saudi royal family flew to the Mayo Clinic here in Rochester, MN for their annual wellness check every year (and my friend who was staying at the Ronald MacDonald House verified this urban legend with their own eyes because even I didn't quite believe it). I just learned the Saudis made a deal to have their medical center become part of the Mayo Clinic network.
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/international-medical-center-in-saudi-arabia-joins-mayo-clinic-care-network/
He has Parkinson’s disease, no dementia whatsoever, yet, often he is belittled
They talk to me about his issues as if he is not present.
I was glad when that doctor retired and I found a new doctor for my mother who was wonderful.
I am fortunate to have a wonderful doctor who doesn’t speak down to me. I have dealt with this in the past with other doctors and it is infuriating.
Have you considered switching to a different doctor? If you don’t want to then please tell the doctor how you feel. Also fill out the survey form that you receive.
Wishing you all the best.
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