Meiho I was curious, when it is a case of impaired judgment and not a "physical" limitation, if there may be an appeals procedure for Michigan where the doctor treating the Alzheimer's could present the information again on why they are recommending no drivers license for your father?

Good point. I don't know the answer. My father's gerontologist, who diagnosed dementia after a cursory screening test, referred my dad to DMV on the basis of MY letter to him about my father's unsafe driving. DMV sent my dad some forms to be filled out, and my dad took them, not to the gerontologist, but to his primary care physician, who said he was "physically able" to drive. My dad is confused about why DMV is saying he has a "medical condition" that may prohibit him from driving, when his PCP and ophthalmologist proclaimed him "safe" to drive. The gerontologist is not "treating" the Alzehimer's, much to my dismay.

What we have here is (1) my dad, who is not sophisticated in these matters, but very "compliant" when someone tells him to do something or not do something, (2) the gerontologist, who gave a gross screening test and proclaimed my father to have "dementia, probably Alzheimer's type," (3) my father's Primary Care Physician, an endocrinologist who treats his diabetes and is foreign-born and may not be knowledgeable about American systems (I'm not being prejudiced, merely factual), and (4) an ophthalmologist who only looks at my father's eyeballs. No one is looking at his mind and his judgement. He has not yet been given an on-the-road test, only a written test, which he failed by 3 points. Of course, he blamed the wording of the questions for his failure, not his own confusion.

He is supposed to go to DMV next week, so we'll see what happens.

This is a classic case of the medical professionals all looking at their own little specialty and not talking to each other. I have tried to get in the middle of this, but they won't talk to me (despite my father having a valid HIPAA authorization for me to have access to his medical records and talk to the doctors). They can't charge anyone for a phone conversation with me, only for appointments with my dad!

I even took all my dad's medical records to a gerontologist at my HMO for her to review. She said I have done everything possible, but she (a friend and fellow book club member) was unwilling to call any of my father's doctors (again, because she couldn't get paid for the time spent making those calls). Grrrrrrr.

So, I doubt that I could get my dad's gerontologist to intervene when he is on shaky ground in his diagnosis and defers to my dad's PCP.

What's wrong with this picture?

An overdose and miss use of red tape? It angers me that these people are in control of his medical issues, yet when we ask, we get these answers.

I guess it all boils down to getting a doctor that will work WITH you. Hard but not impossible. I feel for you. I was lucky and my parent's doctors worked with me first and assisted whenever asked.

You have friends here.

I understand your confusion about your Mom. My father will not go to any Dr. for anything, his dementia is so terrible,especially his behaviors. My mom is at her wit end, we as a family do not know what to do?

i heard with dememtia they only have a couple months to live is this true

I don't believe so. Dementia patients can live for years in this condition. Here's some more information on this: http://www.caring.com/questions/stages-of-dementia

No. Often, a person can survive for years with it. When it comes to how long a person can survive with ANY medical condition the only finally determinate is almight God. That's it that's all. Anything else is B.S.

I was looking for information on my Mother's Alzheimer’s diagnosis and found your post. Your first description of her not being able to walk, but shuffling makes me think immediatly of NPH - Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. I used to work for Medtronic Neurosurgery, a medical manufacturing company. We made shunts for Hydocephalus (water on the brain) and I learned about NPH - google it and see what you think. There is treatment for this.

Have you considered a PET scan? http://www.petfoundations.com/eastmemphis/

I have a feeling that I might be getting Alzheimers. I forget things; can't remember names; forget what I am doing; have to write everything down and yet forget where I put the note. I will be 70 in December and was diagnosed with diabeties 4 months ago - not on any meds for that yet. Otherwise I have good health and work part time to pay the bills. What should I do? I know I should talk to my doctor and I will. Do you think I might have Alzheimers or Dementia?