- The most surprising fact from, “Learning to Be Old”, was how certain medication interactions can cause false diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. This was the most shocking to me because I can only imagine the number of scared older adults coming to a hospital or doctor office and being told, “based on results and test ran, looks like you have early onset Alzheimer disease”. Then having to call them back in and say they made a mistake, or everything is fine, they just had an unforeseen reaction to drug combinations. This could be detrimental to someone’s mental state and have asking man questions. Questions like, “Do I trust what my doctor say, or do I have to get a second and this opinion every time something new arise with my health?” Should I stop taking this medication or doing this recommended procedure and if I do what will happen to me?”
- Cruikshank’s analysis was very informative. I never knew so many medications/ reactions could happen from taking medications designed to help a medical diagnosis. Yes, I know all medications have different and sometimes a number of different side effects, but I never knew how age/aging affected the way our brains maintain and interpret drugs. Aging causes some drugs to be more potent or dangerous. For the solutions, I do agree that better alternatives should be researched/ found. Reevaluating aging and the community perception of aging. Changing learned stereotypes and actually learning and understanding older and aging adults.
- The conversation between Aronson and the daughter was everything. This type of one-on-one questioning, perspective and understanding from family members and loved ones could possibly help before drastic and living changing decisions are made. I can only imagine how different this situation could have went if other doctors took the time to look at medicine already prescribed and caught the problem sooner. The nurse was very concerned with finding made me think she really cared about what happened to Dimitri. The daughter’s answer saved her father’s life and got him back to the person he was before just by noticing changes and remembering when things became different.
- Aronson helped me further understand the importance of family’s involvement, understanding a disease, difference in stage, types and treatments that could and could not help being based on progression. At the conference I liked how she let it be known that they would be coming from different perspectives even though both presentations were on dementia. Her focus was on the individuals and needs to help better the situations and try to come up with different solutions rather than just showing the science of a sick brain/ person. I personally think her presentation may have influenced and changed the other persons outlook on dementia and treatments and maybe that is why years later she saw geriatrics-based approaches.
- There were two impacts that stayed with me after reading the chapter. First one, assuming all patients with the same conditions would benefit from the same treatment. Just because diagnosis is the same does not mean treatment medicine, care will affect individuals the same. Side effects, progression, age, prior and current diagnoses and medication would all play important roles. The second point that stuck with me is, “families often assume doctors know best (Aronson, pp. 57).” People believe because a doctor gets paid and went to school to help, cure, and make situations, diseases, and sickness better that they know what is best for everyone. When in reality only you, your body, and maybe family knows what is best for you.
References:
Aronson, L. (2019). Elderhood: Redefining aging, transforming medicine, reimagining life. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Cruikshank, M. (2009). Learning to be old: gender, culture, and aging (2nd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
I agree with you about how terrifying it must be to be misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s! It would be much better for both the patient and the care team if the patient always felt safe disclosing their entire prescription history and if physicians were not so quick to diagnose. I know in some cases it is life or death, but, as you said, in the case of Alzheimer’s, a misdiagnosis can be detrimental to a patient’s mental health and their trust in the medical system.
I also felt that Aronson’s conversation with Dmitri’s daughter was an exemplary instance of patient care. The nurse’s concern and attention to Dmitri’s care also made a difference in his health outcome. All parties played a crucial role in his survival and ability to enjoy this new chapter in his life.
You highlight the importance of trusting yourself in healthcare, and that reminded me of Patricia Gabow stating that, well before her mother’s fall, she had been made aware of her mother’s desires in her health and end-of-life care. This is in stark contrast to Dmitri’s family, which didn’t talk about such things. It is essential to articulate your desires, as you may not always be able to communicate your needs effectively.
I appreciate how you effectively convey your personal insights and emotional reactions to the material, particularly regarding the implications of misdiagnosis in older adults. This adds depth to your analysis and makes it relatable. I also like the way you reference specific details from the readings, which strengthens your arguments. For example, your mention of the conversation between Aronson and the daughter illustrates the importance of family involvement in healthcare decisions. You raised pimportant questions about trust in medical professionals and the variability of treatment efficacy among patients with the same diagnoses. This shows a nuanced understanding of the complexities of healthcare and it mirrors my views. You offer a thoughtful analysis of the readings and reflects a deep engagement with the material. With some adjustments to structure and clarity, your insights could be even more impactful. Keep up the great work!
Teaira,
I think it is interesting that you focused on the issue of missed diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Many things mimic dementia – including a simple urinary tract infection. Lots of folks have had concerns, as well as their families and doctors, that they were experiencing dementia, only to learn there was another cause. I think the idea that this would be terrifying relates in great part to the fact that dementia is the most dreaded possibility of aging. I’m not convinced that this leads to total mistrust of medical professionals.
I agree that the case example in Aronson helps define the significance of family involvement, particularly caregivers. It also, in Dimitri’s case, made me realize how easily drug interactions can occur, despite the best intentions. And her advocacy related to the conference made a big difference, you are right.
I have some confusion with your answer to the last question. Gabow chose not to have major surgery after her mother broke her hip. That is such a dramatic departure from standard practice that it exemplifies a major alternative approach. It was surprising and happened only because her daughter was a respected member of the medical profession. It is also the case that she could handle her mother’s care, which many non-medical caregivers could not do.
Dr P