Forced exam

[coffeeFreak]

I highly doubt some ICBC road tester is going to suggest this person get checked out for dementia or a mental exam if he fails his test.

I want him examined. I don't want to play Russian Roulette with his driving license on the small hope that the tester has a history/knowledge of dementia and can spot the signs during a 15 min drive.

I think what ICBC will do is request for him to have a physical done by his Dr. to determine if he is capable. This could be a great opportunity to alert the Dr of concerns and also to begin the process of documentation, which is really what is necessary to have the proper supports put in place. Good Luck!

[Fritzthecat]

I have an elderly family member who is not doing well mentally.

They have either dementia or Alzheimer's (in some early form, it isn't full on quite yet). However, this person thinks they are completely sane/normal... when everyone around them knows they aren't. Suggestions that they get help, go for a check up, etc... are met with violence, anger, and threats.

Does anyone have experience with this? How does one tip toe around this and still get results?

Have they been diagnosed with anything or is the demetia/Alzheimers just speculation? For instance, chronic urinary tract infections can mimic these symtoms although they are usually more severe. It could also be a side effect of a more serious condition (mini-strokes, unknown and unchecked diabetes, poor oxygen in blood etc.) This person NEEDS a thorough check up and assessment! The ICBC route is a great way to get them to see a Dr. Also, THEY ARE A DANGER if how you describe their driving habits is accurate (and I assume it is.)

Any decline in status is cause for concern (as you obviouslly know!)

[grammafreddy]

My mother had a drug-induced dementia - she was prescribed a drug called Corderone by a local heart specialist. There was nothing wrong with her heart but I guess the guy needed a new boat or European holiday or something. Years later, her family doctor agreed with me that she should never have been given this drug. There's a lot more to this story than what I am willing to put here, but suffice to say, the last 5 years of her life were a nightmare for her and she died under what she would have called her worst nightmare - strapped into a bed in Cottonwoods, reduced to a filthy excuse for a human being. She was always so much a lady in every sense of the word.

Corderone has been banned in the US - but not in Canada.

Here is a much longer version of what that heart specialist and Corderone did to my mom: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=12470&p=311317&hilit=Corderone#p311317

[MyWorld]

We had a similar situation with my husband's grandmother and tried several times to get her to the doctor, but every time we made an appointment she would either cancel, not show up, or refuse to get out of the vehicle if we were with her. Eventually, we spoke to her doctor and discussed our concerns/experiences and as she had not had a physical in some time, he decided to call her personally and arrange an appointment. Sure enough it was all that was needed to get her in the doctor's office and because we had already relayed our concerns we didn't have to do that in the appointment. The result of the appointment was a dementia work up and tests, which confirmed she was not capable of making decisions. We were able to get her into an assisted living place and despite her resistance she ended up thoroughly enjoying the place.
One of the doctor's recommedations to put in a referral for elder services through mental health who could go in with the RCMP and admit her to KGH. Fortunately, we didn't have to go that route, because I am sure that would have been very traumatic, but when it came down to it we would have made that decision for her safety (and others).