Her Diagnosis Left Her Speechless

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One component of my job is to accompany clients to doctors appointments. Last month I went to an appointment with my client to have her memory tested at a local clinic that specializes in diagnosing and treating memory loss. Because I am with her more than anyone else, I had to fill out paperwork about her daily life. She had to do a battery of tests. When she finished she said she didn't do very well. I tried to reassure her that it would be okay. They just wanted to test how her memory was. Today we went back to get the results of the test. Sadly, she has been diagnosed with Dementia due to Alzheimer's. She was prescribed Donepezil, which is the generic derivative for Aricept. My heart went out to this 84 year old lady. She had known she was experience memory loss. I told her to ask her doctor for a referral to get tested. She didn't expect to get the news that she has Alzheimer's. When we got back to her home, I got her settled in. Told her to start the medication tonight as directed by the doctor. Her son called when I was there and she asked me to tell him the outcome of the appointment. He had so many questions. I advised him to call the clinic to talk to someone about his mother. He has her written permission to speak with them about his mother's diagnosis. This weekend I am scheduled to see her again. I know she will be quite depressed. I have to work to get this lady's spirits up again. Although she was diagnosed with a devastating disease, she is by far not as bad off as others who have it.