My MIL tells all her IHC givers that she still golfs, gardens and goes out with her friends weekly for lunch. When in reality she hasn't done these things in at least 4 years or so. To someone who didn't know she had dementia they would think, "Ok she is pretty active." The reality is she sits all day watching tv. My concern, is the doctors not seeing the deterioration I see daily, other than the constant repetitiveness, are they seeing what I see? She tells them she is compliant and doing what she is supposed to be doing, but really isn't. I know this is a day to day disease there are good and bad days, but is it possible for them to know how to work the system?
I am assuming you are mom's POA and her MPOA? Because a short and concise note to the MD such as you sent us is PERFECT for you to present when she goes for checkup. She should be seen for a diagnosis that is formal and written by a good neuro.
Meanwhile what you wrote tickled me. While many are sunk into depression and whining from a.m. to bedtime, your Mom is thinking she had a hole in one and a good lunch. It sounds delightful.
You mention "playing the system". I would say for those who are/were socially adept they are often the ones who love to put their best feet forward.
I sure wish you both the best.
the person that is going to appointments with her should be informing the doctor about any changes, any declines, any other things that are going on.
If there are/is more than 1 caregiver they should ideally keep a log of what they are doing, what mom is doing and this should be brought with mom to appointments.
If no one is going with her how is she getting there?
(and when I mean "going with her" I do not mean driving her and waiting in the car or the waiting room)
But like Grandma1954 asked below, who is going to the doctor with her that she is allowed to put on such a show? Surely you're not letting her go by herself.
Someone should not only being going with her and IN with her, but should also be writing her doctor a note on the patient portal ahead of her appointment with everything that is going on with her, so they have a heads up before her appointment.
I had to do that all the time with my late husband, because if I didn't the doctor would ask him how things were going and my husband would always say fine. But in reality his doctor already knew that in fact things were not fine, and so things could be addressed.
It's such a simple solution for whoever is her medical POA or is on her HIPPA form. You can also just hand the nurse a note before your MIL is called back and she/he can hand it to the doctor before they come in the exam room.