Solutions for Successful Aging
Aging and Teeth!
Guess this sounds crazy...but ran into a situation last week I never anticipated! All of a sudden we realized Mother had an abscessed tooth! I guess her Alzheimer's caused her to not be able to communicate her discomfort to us.
My very frightened and confused Mother sat in pain and tears after the Oral Surgeon (not our usual one) removed her (93 year old) tooth. He then proceeded to tell me about her post op care (which I had been reading about in the next room). For the next 3-5 days she needed to be watched closely for danger of dislodging blood clot over the sight, excess bleeding, no straws, no chewing, etc. I had been so absorbed with getting her to the dentist, then to surgeon and tooth pulling, I had never thought of the after care she would need!
I quietly told him she has Alzheimer's. He never looked up from his paperwork and said, "There's not a lot you can do about those people" and walked away! I was stunned! How could he say such a thing I thought, as I ran to start lining up sitters for around the clock care (expense being a whole other issue!).
My question... This was such a traumatic experience for both of us! Is there such a thing as a Dentist/Oral Surgeon who specializes in Elder Care and dementia?
My very frightened and confused Mother sat in pain and tears after the Oral Surgeon (not our usual one) removed her (93 year old) tooth. He then proceeded to tell me about her post op care (which I had been reading about in the next room). For the next 3-5 days she needed to be watched closely for danger of dislodging blood clot over the sight, excess bleeding, no straws, no chewing, etc. I had been so absorbed with getting her to the dentist, then to surgeon and tooth pulling, I had never thought of the after care she would need!
I quietly told him she has Alzheimer's. He never looked up from his paperwork and said, "There's not a lot you can do about those people" and walked away! I was stunned! How could he say such a thing I thought, as I ran to start lining up sitters for around the clock care (expense being a whole other issue!).
My question... This was such a traumatic experience for both of us! Is there such a thing as a Dentist/Oral Surgeon who specializes in Elder Care and dementia?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robyn Blaikie Collins on -
In Dallas, there is an amazing doctor that makes time to go to nursing homes to see patients in their environments. This is an excellent way that he serves the community of Successful Agers. Certainly he must not be alone. Let's tackle this and bring a resource to you. Excellent question... i'm certain you are not alone.
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Permalink Reply by Ginny on -
Her nursing home does have a dentist who comes there - but does only minor things. Hospice has been a great asset so we don't have to take her to ER for severe sciatic nerve pain and other issues anymore. But this is our first experience with involved dental problems.
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Permalink Reply by Jeanette Meyer on -
I was wondering the same thing. My mother has been in my care for alittle over a year. She has Alzheimers and Dementia along with Parkinson's. I am so concerned about her teeth also. I take of them the usual way through brushing each day. I wonder if there are dentist who specialize in the care of these kind of patients. I wonder of there is a dental office that is set up for patients who are bedridden and could only come if they are in a wheelchair and how would the chair work in the office, or would I have to transfer my mother to their chair, and how difficult all of that would be since she cannot walk or move at all. She is completely dependent on someone being able to transfer her to a dental chair. She has not had a cleaning in 4 -5 years since she has become sick and I cannot imagine her going through what you and your family have gone through with your mother.
If not, this would be a wonder thing for the dental profession to initiate, wouldn't it? Someone who understands this type of patient and the family of the patient. It would be wonderful for a dentist office to be set up to handle these type of patients. I was interested to see your posting. This whole process that you have gone through sounds very difficult and trying. I hope all will go well and she heals quickly. I am amazed that this surgeon was so cold and distant in his reaction to your comment about your mother. It is obvious he has no one in his family in this situation yet since there was no compassion for your mother's health. Shame on him. Thank you for your posting, I will be more aggressive in the care of my mother's teeth.
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Permalink Reply by Ginny on
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My experience was very upsetting and frustrating, but at least I was able to take her to someone (did I mention the flat tire on the way there? NOT good to be in a disabled car with a 93 year old Mom with Alzheimers & wheelchair!) My suggestions:
1) Go to a nursing home that you would choose (one day) for your Mom and ask them what Dentist comes there. Then call him/her and see if they will come to your home - or if they have a suggestion.
2) Ask Robin's doctor in Dallas if he can recommend someone in your area.
3) Ask your minister if there is a Dentist in your church or synagogue that you could call on to come to your home.
4) Call a nearby dental college and your county senior council on aging and see if they know of any program available to you.
Please let us all know what help you find.
Jeanette Meyer said:I was wondering the same thing. My mother has been in my care for a little over a year. She has Alzheimers and Dementia along with Parkinson's. I am so concerned about her teeth also. I take of them the usual way through brushing each day. I wonder if there are dentist who specialize in the care of these kind of patients. I wonder of there is a dental office that is set up for patients who are bedridden and could only come if they are in a wheelchair and how would the chair work in the office, or would I have to transfer my mother to their chair, and how difficult all of that would be since she cannot walk or move at all. She is completely dependent on someone being able to transfer her to a dental chair. She has not had a cleaning in 4 -5 years since she has become sick and I cannot imagine her going through what you and your family have gone through with your mother.
If not, this would be a wonder thing for the dental profession to initiate, wouldn't it? Someone who understands this type of patient and the family of the patient. It would be wonderful for a dentist office to be set up to handle these type of patients. I was interested to see your posting. This whole process that you have gone through sounds very difficult and trying. I hope all will go well and she heals quickly. I am amazed that this surgeon was so cold and distant in his reaction to your comment about your mother. It is obvious he has no one in his family in this situation yet since there was no compassion for your mother's health. Shame on him. Thank you for your posting, I will be more aggressive in the care of my mother's teeth.
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Permalink Reply by Carole Larkin on -
check this website. www.senioranswersource.net they have a dentist that makes house calls to homes, assisted livings and nursing homes.
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Permalink Reply by Ginny on
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That is a great idea...perhaps there is something like that in your area. There is a mobile dentist that comes to my Mother's nursing home, but again...he doesn't do anything extensive, like pulling teeth. I'm not sure about fillings for cavities, etc. But at some point with Alzheimer's she won't be able to either follow directions to keep mouth open or physically be able to cooperate. For now (thankfully) we aren't at that stage yet. Let us know what you find in your area!
Carole Larkin said:check this website. www.senioranswersource.net they have a dentist that makes house calls to homes, assisted livings and nursing homes.
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