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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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Agreed. If a person is elderly with no dementia, it is a different story. But dementia patients should not be put through anything that will be painful or unnecessary. My LO was diagnosed 12 years ago. He had some dark lesions on his face that his doctor tried to treat in the office but when he flinched, the doctor decided to leave them alone. He said “ we are not going to torture him “. His doctor also said he will not ever have another colonoscopy.
So you are still taking Mom to the dentist, as it is likely he/she is the one who told you these cavities need to be filled? I think, given what you told us of your mom's overall health in your profile, I would not take mom to the dentist unless she is in pain. IF she is in pain, a shot of novocaine and a filling should be minor compared to tooth pain.
All in all this is something to discuss with the expert! That's your dentist.
If you are conflicted about caring for Mom's teeth, read the recommendations of Dr. Richard Isaacson...a world-reknowned neurologist leading the way in dementia care and prevention. His studies show that persons with good oral hygiene and healthy teeth score significantly higher on cognitive tests. Cavities that are ignored ultimately will reach the nerve and when that happens the pain is frequently intense and once that infection/abscess occurs the only options are a root canal or an extraction, both of which are much more traumatic than a simple filling. The dentist I work with, who sees many older and cognitively challenged adults, emphasizes frequent cleaning appointments (every 3 or 4 months) because good oral hygiene is hard to accomplish at a later age when vision and dexterity begin to be compromised, or because motivation has diminished. And he reminds family members that pain is under-diagnosed in people with dementia because they cannot always articulate what they are feeling...they may just exhibit anxiety, anger, or an inability to sleep. A compassionate dentist who will take the time to work with your mother might put temporary filling in a tooth rather than drilling it out in the usual way, and should look for the simplest fix to be sure that she is never in position to suffer unnecessarily. And a reminder that the bacteria in gum tissue that is not kept very clean, enters the other body parts easily and can wreak havoc in other areas, including the heart and brain. Ask your cardiologist!
Also, some dentists have a laser available to remove decay that is painless and eliminates the use of a traditional drill. I am retired, but my most recent boss has that.
"I am caring for my mother Betty, who is 97 years old, living in independent living with age-related decline, alzheimer's / dementia, anxiety, depression, incontinence, mobility problems, osteoporosis, sleep disorder, and urinary tract infection."
How do you know she needs a cavity filled? Did she go to the dentist? Did it fall out? Is she in pain?
If she's in pain, I think this is the guiding symptom that decides next steps. Does she willingly take medication?
More info would be helpful for most appropriate suggestions for you.
Unless those cavities are causing pain, I would not worry about them. I would not put someone suffering from a Dementia thru this. My cousin was called about his Mom, who suffered from ALZ and was at least in her mid 80s, about needed some caps. He said no.
I'm a firm believer in not doing anymore than has to absolutely be done when dealing with someone near the end of their life and with many health issues like your mom. Are these teeth bothering her? If not let her be. And if they're bothering her perhaps some Tylenol or Orgel can be used. With your mom having dementia she will more than likely not understand what is being done, even though I'm sure the dentist could sedate her, but it could be quite traumatic for her. I think you must now weigh the pros verses the cons, and do what is in the best interest of your mom.
Be careful. The dentist may want to make some money. As long as she is not in pain, let it go. I myself am 83, and I have one molar that has a huge cavity. The dentist recommended I either have it extracted or have a crown put on it. It is not causing any pain or discomfort, so I think I will just let it go.
Elderly here can get home visits they woukd be linked to dealing with elderly or sick people. Might be worth checking with local health authorities to see what’s available hopefully those people would be better trained and not try to do extra in necessary work if no joy check in a local care home and ask them what they do fir elderly patients teeth issues it’s best something is sorted before it goes into a deeper oriblem tooth pain is excruciating
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
No, she won't have the best set of teeth in the graveyard but that is ok with her and me both.
I do not believe in doing anything further with her unless she is in pain, which she is not, so I would not have any dental work done on her,
I think, given what you told us of your mom's overall health in your profile, I would not take mom to the dentist unless she is in pain. IF she is in pain, a shot of novocaine and a filling should be minor compared to tooth pain.
All in all this is something to discuss with the expert! That's your dentist.
"I am caring for my mother Betty, who is 97 years old, living in independent living with age-related decline, alzheimer's / dementia, anxiety, depression, incontinence, mobility problems, osteoporosis, sleep disorder, and urinary tract infection."
How do you know she needs a cavity filled? Did she go to the dentist? Did it fall out? Is she in pain?
If she's in pain, I think this is the guiding symptom that decides next steps. Does she willingly take medication?
More info would be helpful for most appropriate suggestions for you.
My cousin was called about his Mom, who suffered from ALZ and was at least in her mid 80s, about needed some caps. He said no.
I 100% agree with other replies about dealing only with teeth that cause pain.
Are these teeth bothering her? If not let her be. And if they're bothering her perhaps some Tylenol or Orgel can be used.
With your mom having dementia she will more than likely not understand what is being done, even though I'm sure the dentist could sedate her, but it could be quite traumatic for her.
I think you must now weigh the pros verses the cons, and do what is in the best interest of your mom.
they woukd be linked to dealing with elderly or sick people. Might be worth checking with local health authorities to see what’s available
hopefully those people would be better trained and not try to do extra in necessary work
if no joy check in a local care home and ask them what they do fir elderly patients teeth issues
it’s best something is sorted before it goes into a deeper oriblem
tooth pain is excruciating
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