Frustration in healthcare land

[thejude]

What is the name of your state? Georgia

I'm caring for an elderly parent who forgets and/or ignores (not sure which) her doctors' verbal instructions. I'm not privy (patient confidentiality) to the information and remain clueless as how to best help carry out her medical needs. I also, at times, need to know what medical treatments/procedures she has recieved. Is there any power of attorney that would allow me the right to her medical information without her having to be unconscious first?

 

[violas]

Take your Mom to an elder care lawyer. Have her sign a power or attorney naming you as her power of attorney. When you are the POA then you will be privy to your mom's health information. Of course, your mother may continue to refuse her doctor's verbal orders. I am the POA for my mother who has alzheimer's. Her doctor has told her a hundred times that she is suppose to be on oxygen all the time. Mom refuses. So I make Mom do the oxygen for 2 hours a night by telling her if she doesn't do it for at least 2 hours a night that the doctor will admit her to the hospital and then she will have to take her oxygen in the hospital. Every night, I have to fight Mom to get those 2 hours of oxygen in her. Good luck.

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state? Georgia

I'm caring for an elderly parent who forgets and/or ignores (not sure which) her doctors' verbal instructions. I'm not privy (patient confidentiality) to the information and remain clueless as how to best help carry out her medical needs. I also, at times, need to know what medical treatments/procedures she has recieved. Is there any power of attorney that would allow me the right to her medical information without her having to be unconscious first?

If she's incompetent, she cannot sign a POA.

Then you will have to get a conservatorship/guardianship.

 

[ellencee]

What is the name of your state? Georgia

I'm caring for an elderly parent who forgets and/or ignores (not sure which) her doctors' verbal instructions. I'm not privy (patient confidentiality) to the information and remain clueless as how to best help carry out her medical needs. I also, at times, need to know what medical treatments/procedures she has recieved. Is there any power of attorney that would allow me the right to her medical information without her having to be unconscious first?

There is no need to make a mountain out of a molehill. If this elderly person goes to her appointments without her caregiver, there is your problem. Make sure the physician's office has your name, address, and phone number and that you are listed as her "caregiver". Go to her appointments with her; go with her into the exam room and remain there at least through the interview portion of the physical exam. Return to hear the physician's instructions and ask her physician to be sure to write on the billing statement, all verbal instructions so you and she will have a copy. Ask for a list of all current prescriptions so you can make sure the patient has all necessary medications and is not 'double-dosing' as so often happens with the elderly. If she has a pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, stents of any kind (cardiac, renal, etc.) make sure you/she has her product information card(s) with you/her at all times.

My advice to go with her to appointments includes going with her to the ER or hospital if either is necessary.

Best wishes,
EC