LETTER
An Aid for Caregivers of Patients with Dementia
James A. Levine, MD, PhD
1 June 1994 | Volume 120 Issue 11 | Page 974
TO THE EDITOR:
The potential psychiatric and physical symptoms experienced by caregivers of patients with dementia are highlighted by Baumgarten and colleagues [1]. Many personal interactions outside the home environment can result in anxiety and embarrassment to both the caregiver and the patient [2]. The caregiver of one of my patients provided a novel solution.
A 67-year-old woman, accompanied by her husband, came to the Urgent Care Center with abdominal pain. No past medical records were available. It became increasingly difficult to document the patient's presenting problem until her husband took from his shirt pocket a card that he had made with the word "Alzheimer's" on it. After I saw the card, he returned it to his pocket. This maneuver took about 5 seconds and was not perceived by his wife.
This simple, inexpensive tool prevented embarrassment to the patient and her caregiver. The card not only simplified the consultation but many other aspects of their lives.
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Author and Article Information
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Mayo Clinic; Rochester, MN 55905
1. Baumgarten M, Hanley JA, Infante-Rivard C, Battista RN, Becker R, Gauthier S. Health of family members caring for elderly patients: a longitudinal study. Ann Intern Med. 1994; 120:126-32.
2. O'Connor DW, Pollitt PA, Roth M, Brook CP, Reiss BB. Problems reported by relatives in a community study of dementia. Br J Psychiatry. 1990; 156:835-41.
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