My dad currently sees 12, no exaggeration 12 DRs. He had frontal lobe radiation for a growing meningioma, radiation killed the meningioma but caused the cognitive issues. He has a Neurologist, neuro oncologist, neuro surgeon, Sleep Medicine neuro, ophthalmologist and neuro ophthalmologist, cardiologist, dermatologist and derma surgeon, audiologist, orthopedic (back issues), dentist, psychiatrist, Geriatric internal medicine not to mention podiatrist (he comes to my dad’s AL and the physical therapist) not to mention CTscans, MRI, sleep test, cardio scan trips for testing, when is enough enough? I work full time, have a family of my own with a husband recovering from a mild stroke and the aging love of my life, my pup, with both #1 and #2 incontinence. the point and the question is do any of you deal with this many DRs? How do you keep track of them all? Do we really need all of them? How do you keep your sanity? Lol
Your dad has mine beat for the number of drs. Before dad went on hospice he had his PCP (that dad wanted to see every 2 month - doc and I kept it at every 3), dermatologist/surgeon min of every 6 mos unless more CAs found, neurologist every 3 mos, VA for hearing as needed, eye doc every 3 mos, cardiologist as needed; Orthopedic as needed. Sometimes I met myself coming an going. Most often the AL facility would drop dad off - I'd meet him at dr and take him back until it got to hard to get him in the car. At that point they took and picked up and I met at dr and followed van back to AL most of the time so I could visit mom too.
I was by this time retired - but it was exhausting - because with dad there was usually an appt for dad multiple times a month. The VA was the worst because the AL van didn't go that far and there was parking issues and construction at the VA so I drive to drop off point get him settled in the lobby find a parking spot then walk a mile back to the building find dad go to audiology, get dad's hearing aids adjusted then reverse the process. It probably took an hour for just the process of dropping off, parking, walking, walking, getting car and picking up.
Dad died 2 years ago. And after COVID started I moved mom to the AL dr - so the dr visits have pretty much dried up.
Then of course there was mom's dr visits - however she negotiated her own dental and eye appts.
I wouldn't have accompanied them to the appts but whenever I asked what the dr had to say their responses was I thing the dr said ... . It was easier to go myself to see what the dr actually said.
Is there any other family that can help with the dr visits? You do have your hands full and I wish you all the best.
How old is your Dad? Mom was in her 80s when I started asking for yearly appts. Then when nothing changed, numbers were stable, I stopped taking her. One Dr. allowed tests at six months and agreed she would only come in if there were changes. I don't see why you would need a surgeon one the operation was over and you had a follow up or two. The oncologist, maybe once a year if Dad is cancer free. Why do you need 2 eye doctors.
Am I approaching his care in the wrong way?
You may also request of MDs who are not doing actual in office exams that they move to virtual visits.
I sure wish you luck.