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Aging parent neglecting blood pressure monitoring

3 replies

BlueInkSpill · 03/05/2023 18:23

My mother is aging. Over the past 18 months I noticed some things about her where she's easily angered and there are some things about her that's not quite right here and there. I strongly suspect that maybe dementia might be happening in her.

Since about 2015 approximately her GP has been monitoring and managing high blood pressure. She gets a call approx about once a year to visit the practice for the 24 hour blood pressure monitor. She's on medication.

Since the beginning of this year she hasn't been engaging with the GP at all on this. She's been ignoring their calls since January. I think the practice phones about once a week. She ignores her phone.

Is this dangerous?

I discussed my concerns about the possibility of something happening with her GP last year but I don't have a diagnosis so it's probably no harm now that the practice is aware that she is neglecting the management of this. As far as I know she's still taking her medication.

I am refusing to intervene in this. If I suggest to my mother to make an appointment for the blood pressure, all she will do is blow up in anger and ranting and I think it may be good for the GP to see this. I think at this stage I would love for the GP to refer her to the hospital because if she was taken out of rountine, I think something might show up more with her.

Anyone here work in a gp practice? What happens when a patient refuses to engage in the management of a condition.

OP posts:
Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 03/05/2023 18:28

Most of them are too short staffed to chase reluctant patients, especially if they don’t have any relatives who will chivvy them along.

perhaps your Mum doesn’t really care and is fed up with the medication and the tests. I have some sympathy with that, myself, it’s a drag getting old when you know that things are not really going to improve.

Chowtime · 03/05/2023 18:31

Agree they won't do anything, what can they do anyway?

Can you buy her a blood pressure monitor and do it yourself at home and then tell the GP if its high?

How old is she

purpleme12 · 03/05/2023 18:56

Doesn't she have one at home?

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