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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Medication Improve The Quality Of Life Of An Alzheimer’s Patient?

Hi , my mom is 91 and is deaf and extremely hard of hearing. She is in the final stages of Alzheimers and becomes very combative when her care givers need to aid in her hygiene, etc. A recent blood test showed her blood count at a 10 and most recent ones at 11 and 11.5. The doctor wants her in the hospital for more testing but my family doesnt know if it is worth upsetting her with it. She is bedridden or in a wheelchair all the time. She would not understand anything being done to her and we do not want her to be anymore in a panicked state. We want to do the proper thing but also want her to be at peace. We are content with having her live out her life as is...would any more testing and meds give her any better quality of life than she is already living?
Mon, 4 Jan 2016
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
HI

Thanks for posting your query.

I went through your query and I can understand your concern. In such kind of situation there is no right or wrong decision.

An elevated blood count indicates Infection and you doctor wants to do further evaluation for that. There is nothing wrong in his decision.

But your question is very sensible. By troubling her are we going to achieve anything significant ? The answer is NO . Just by detecting what infection she is having and treating that will not make her totally normal , she will be the same .

So in my opinion there is no need to trouble her more . You can ask for an Antibiotic prescription and give it to her and continue her same usual routine.

Hope this information was helpful to you.
Any clarification feel free to revert back .

Regards.
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Does Medication Improve The Quality Of Life Of An Alzheimer’s Patient?

HI Thanks for posting your query. I went through your query and I can understand your concern. In such kind of situation there is no right or wrong decision. An elevated blood count indicates Infection and you doctor wants to do further evaluation for that. There is nothing wrong in his decision. But your question is very sensible. By troubling her are we going to achieve anything significant ? The answer is NO . Just by detecting what infection she is having and treating that will not make her totally normal , she will be the same . So in my opinion there is no need to trouble her more . You can ask for an Antibiotic prescription and give it to her and continue her same usual routine. Hope this information was helpful to you. Any clarification feel free to revert back . Regards.