Expert: Paula Damgaard - 3/11/2004

Question
Dear Paula, I talked to my dad tonight and he said that my Uncle made an appointment today to have my Aunt undergo a series of tests.  Unfortunately the place is booked until June.  My family and I just moved to Charlottesville from the Washington D.C. area this summer.  My sister also just started her first year at UVA, what a coincidence!  We live off of Route 29 in a neighborhood called Carsbrook.  However, my aunt and uncle live up in Mass., north of Boston.  I have informed my father about the Altzheimer's Association and he is going to contact them.  Her appointment is 3 months away...will that have a significant effect on treatment options?  Will this allow too much time for the disease to deteriorate?  Thanks so much!

Sincerely,
Michael Keating
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Followup To
Question -
Dear Paula,
   Hi, my name is Michael Keating.  I am a sophomore at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.  I just got home on spring break, and last night we found out some bad news.  For months my Father and my Uncle Joe have been suspicious of my Aunt Patricia, who is in her middle 70's.  For example, at Christmas time she sent two very odd Christmas cards to my Uncle Paul and none to anyone else.  Finally my Uncle Joe went and talked to her doctor.  The doctor told my uncle to have my Aunt Patricia undergo an MRI.  She had the MRI a few weeks ago and the results came back yesterday.  She has Alzheimer's Disease, but she doesn't know this yet.  The doctor wanted my Uncle Joe to tell her, but we are not sure if this is the best way to go about informing her of her illness.  Shouldn't someone of authority (the doctor) tell the patient they have Alzheimer's?  Could you also give us some pointers on what we can do to help my Aunt cope with disease?  Also, could you give me some pointers on things my Uncle Joe can do to cope with the burden of taking care of my Aunt...he's her younger brother.

Thanks so much,
Michael Keating
Answer -
Dear Michael, I am hoping that your aunt had more than an MRI to diagnose her disease.  An MRI alone cannot tell anyone that they have AD.  She should have a complete battery of neuropsych testing to get a good diagnosis.  

As for who should tell her you are right her doctor should.  You are a student at JMU where does your family live?  Are they in VA?  Can they come to the Memory Clinic at UVA?  She could get a second opinion and your family could feel more secure in what they are dealing with.

As for information about her care I strongly suggest you call the Alzheimer's Assoc. they can give you all the information you want and more.  

Feel free to call me at the clinic when you are back at school and I will try to help you as much as I can.  434-243-5420  or 1800 251-3627 x3-5420

Paula

Answer
A very small world indeed!  I don't live very far from you at all.  Ellen Phipps is the program director at the Alzheimer's Assoc. in C'ville.  the number there is 973-6122.  Please tell your dad that he can also call me anytime.  I can't do much for your aunt from here but I can answer questions.  Three months won't be too bad.  Make sure that your uncle asks if they have a cancellation list and that he is very anxious to be on that list.  Then she might get moved up quicker.

Let me know if I can help.  Paula