can u get gp's to do home visits for this?

[misdee]

our dad is getting older now (early 60's). he is having memory problems. will repeat things he has told us 10mins ago. he gets very defensive if we point this out. our mum says its just the way he is. basically we doubt we could get him to see the gp about it. he has got worse over the last year. could we call his gp with our concerns?

I am not sure that you would get a home visit for this - they are normally reserved for people that are not capable of getting to the surgery.

There is nothing to stop you giving hte GP a call to if you can discuss it with him over the phone. The GPs at our surgery are more than happy to do follow up appointments by phone for a lot of things. At the end of the day there is probably nothing for the GP to "see" physiologically, I guess you are really loking for a referal to the relevant specialist?

I think your biggest problem may be that you are not the patient IYSWIM.

It sounds like the problem is not getting him out of the house, but your dad allowing the GP examine him. If he refuses to see anyone they might refuse to do a home visit on those grounds.

If he is prepared to see someone, they'll probably say bring him in.

This doesn't require a home visit although he does need to see a GP. In my experience, home visits like this which are sprung on a patient are awkward for all concerned and less likely to help with any rapport needed for examination.

I would discuss this problem with his GP first, making clear what your concerns are and how you would like them to help. Then, you need to discuss it with your dad and take him along (offer to go with him if that would make it easier and more acceptable). As well as being examined pysically and mentally, he will probably need some blood tests doing.

can these sort of things be picked up on blood tests?

SGK is going to speak to mum about it, as its happneed a few times at SGK place or when he has been with them, not so much here, but i am more caught up atm in my own dh health issues so havent seen as much of the parents as other sisters have.

some (but not all) of the causes of poor memory can be picked up on blood tests and they are important as they may be reversible. They may also want to refer him for hearing tests (if your hearing is poor it is harder to retain the relevant information for some people) and will want to ask him some questions to test which areas of his memory are affected and if there are any other problems with his thought processes. This can take quite a while and will need his cooperation.

People are usually very embarrassed about memory problems and may have no idea that there is a problem if it is an area of memory that stops them remembering there is a problem IYSWIM. For them it feels like people aren't telling them things and then putting all the blame on them so they can get very defensive.

Try to explain your worries to your dad in a very non-judgemental way. Explain that there might be something that can be done to help his memory and that you are worried in case it gets worse. If he does go you must try and persuade him to let you or another friend/family member go but let your dad lead the consultation so he knows he is still in charge. Some of the most frustrating (for me and them) consultations I have had have been for memory problems where the either the patient is alone and can't remember anything you tell them (and can't remember that you wrote it down for them and they put the paper in their pocket!) or where their worried family/friends "take over" the consultation to the extent that the patient digs their heels in further to regain control.

good luck.