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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.
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I should of done it sooner but it made me so nervous back then she was so outspoken. Now she just hums, will say a word now and then but she does motion that it hurts her to have her teeth brushed.
Most nursing homes have dentists who come in every so often to see patients. That may be a good source of referral for one who has the capacity to treat dementia patients. Also, your local area agency on aging may keep a list of such dentists.
We found that getting mom a very simple electric toothbrush makes it much easier for her to brush.
Dentist who are familiar with working with patients who have dementia understand about the illness. Your only worry is getting your Mom to that dentist. Let him or her handle everything.
Many pediatric dentists are also special needs dentists. If your mom in on assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing the can likely offer options many have dentists who visit. Call all the pediatric dentists in your area and ask of the can do special needs dentistry. They can direct you and make reconditions. In our area we work through Children's hospital to find the right dentist and solution for our clients. I hope this helps,
If she will willingly go out just take her. If she is not willing tell her you are going for ice cream and stop at the dentist on the way. not very honest but you gotta do what you gotta do. warn the dentist ahead of time and maybe ask for a very small dose of a sedative to give before you go. They may want her to take an antibiotic before treatment. Don't delay as if it is a bad infection it can spread into the bone and then she is really in trouble.
As a dental hygienist, all are great comments. I reallly liked the ice cream idea. YES, tell the dentist ahead so they will allow extra time for her, Will she rinse her mouth? Try an alcohol free mouthwash with fluoride...there are dentists that love older patients..we just need to know they are coming....all the advise above are excellent. A clean mouth is very important to keeping down infections in the body: eg, pneumonia, heart issues, etc
IKORWPA, that is amazing information. Thanks so much for letting us know that many pediatric dentists work with special needs people. They may have the skills to help our elders who no longer understand why they must go through this process.
I recently interviewed a dentist for an article that agingcare will have online soon. He had some ideas that went as far as sedating the elder once they get to the dentist. Unfortunately, none of these options helps those who have problems getting our loved ones to the dentist in the first place.
Anyway, IKORWPA's post is one more reason why a meeting of minds such as occurs in this community is such a vital part of the caregiving process.
I have been struggling with this same problem. We took my mother to a dentist and they were very uncomfortable and kind of rude. Sad. She just likes to talk! They acted like she was violent or something and she is not. Our society needs to address this issue. Nursing home patients and elderly with dementia need dental care too! My mother still has her own teeth but I'm concerned that she will start having problems. I will check out the pediatric dentists, good idea!
That was a concern of mine this past year and I found a dentist hat she used to go to who is amazing with her. The key is their knowledge of working with patients who need kid gloves. Ask around or a dental referral service. Pediatric or even geriatric dentists are a good idea. I know we have it set up so her visits are short. If need be there is sedation (coordinated with her doctor) for a longer or more complicated session. So far her visits have been positive and easy.
i tell my mother in law that we are both going for our checkups and my dentist will call me in the room and we quickly discuss things or I do plan my visit then and then he will call her in. I get her there once/twice a year and my dentist is a gem. she is not good at brushing her teeth so I always put just a little paste on her brush in the evening and that seems to work.
If brushing is the only problem, get a dog tooth brush that you can wear on your finger and brush her teeth. Do you really think going to the dentist for a person who has a terminal illness is going to help? If expenses are tight, think about it.
I caregive for my 92 year old Aunt. I have found when going to the dentist she is much better if I stay in the room with her, within her sight. Then if they talk with her and it is apparent she doesn't understand, I step in and use the words that I use at home to help her understand what to do. Others are right, do find a dentist that works with elderly and a hygienist that has experience with older folks and lots of patience. As to brushing her teeth, I brush her teeth each night. I found it works best to have her sit down, I use an electric tooth brush and have her look up toward the ceiling. I have her spit into a bowl. We rinse and spit at least twice. Then she take a couple of swallows of water. The entire brushing takes less than three minutes. I know this isn't a perfect solution, but it is done with the least amount of stress on her and gets the job done. Oh, Auntie loves ice cream so we drive through for ice cream after each Dr. or Dentist appointment.
I agree that addressing dental problems in a person with a terminal illness should be limited to relieving pain. I would consult with the dentist ahead of the visit to ensure that his/her goals are in line with my mother's best interests - eliminating pain while causing the least possible anxiety - rather than 'fixing' problem in her mouth. Of course it depends upon the individual, but the stress of a dentist visit on a person with advanced dementia could be extreme.
I caregive for my 92 year old Aunt. I have found when going to the dentist she is much better if I stay in the room with her, within her sight. Then if they talk with her and it is apparent she doesn't understand, I step in and use the words that I use at home to help her understand what to do. Others are right, do find a dentist that works with elderly and a hygienist that has experience with older folks and lots of patience. As to brushing her teeth, I brush her teeth each night. I found it works best to have her sit down, I use an electric tooth brush and have her look up toward the ceiling. I have her spit into a bowl. We rinse and spit at least twice. Then she take a couple of swallows of water. The entire brushing takes less than three minutes. I know this isn't a perfect solution, but it is done with the least amount of stress on her and gets the job done. Oh, Auntie loves ice cream so we drive through for ice cream after each Dr. or Dentist appointment.
I've been dealing with this issue with my mom who has Alzheimers...she was told by a previous, notice I said previous dentist that she needed to have AT LEAST 8 teeth extracted!!! Only 1 was giving her pain, and she was still able to eat, sleep, function daily...but, since THAT dentist told her she needed to have at least 8 extracted, then it became that she wanted to have them ALL extracted !!! The downside of this all is she has blood issues, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and gout which has increased in intesity for 40+ yrs...I checked with several dentists, then an oral surgeon who he himself firmly advised against putting my Mom thru all of those extractions (and he is the oral surgeon !!!) and just do the ones that are problematic for her....I was amazed that he himself would care more for my Mom , and NOT the money !!! I was so relieved that he was thinking the same thing I was hoping he would think. It turns out that his mom is also the same as my mom...we both just don't want to put our moms thru any more pain and discomfort than necessary...if they aren't giving them pain, or any other problems then leave it alone. They are in enough pain and discomfort as it is...Treat the teeth when it affects them...and by the way, greedy dentists who suggest root canals, bridges, crowns on an 81 yr old woman with all these health problems are just that...greedy !!! They don't care about the patient, only the thousands of dollars they are seeing when they look in the elderly patient mouths...!!! The minute I stood my ground and told this greedy biotch dentist NO to all this expensive work, she didn't want to see my mom anymore...and the next dentist I took her to agreed with me also to only do what is absoutely necessary !!! Then she referred my mom to the oral surgeon...so, my advice to you is if you don't feel right about the dental plan , or any other medical plan given to you, get a second, or third opinion before you take care of the problem. I always keep the best interests of my Mom and dad when it also comes to medical care...and, if it's not necessary, then don't do it !!! I don't want them to go thru anything they don't have to at this age and poor overall health that they have....
My mother had dementia, and I took her to the dentist. Make your appointment in the morning, the most important part. Explain to your dentist about your mothers condition, and that you have no idea how everything is going to go, and hope for the best. My mother actually ended up doing great, with no problems in fact we took her out to lunch and she had a wonderful day.
I take my mom to the dentist once a month for a teeth cleaning to be proactive with her dental health. We do not have dental insurance. I make it a priority expense. I continued on with the dentist she was seeing previously.
We are six years into diagnosis (which means I've been in charge for the last six years) and she has a beautiful smile, no cavities. She visits their office, sits in their chair, and they make a big fuss over her. She is a beautiful woman inside and out. I would never consider discontinuing her dental care because she has a terminal illness.
My husband and I insist on her brushing her teeth everyday at home and we help her as needed. My mom lives with us. We do not only take her to the dentist. We take her out all the time. If you do it, she's be accustomed to it. It is not easy but it is essential (in my opinion).
Has anyone heard of a mobile dental van that will come out to the home? I could use this for my 93yr old Dad but also for my brother who has MS?? This would be SO helpful to just take them out to a unit that could handle just cleaning and a few procedures to keep the mouth clean and as healthy as we can. I just can't see how I am to take 2 people out that much for all the care they need. My brother does have a home physician but that does not help me with dental and vision care. It is getting more and more difficult to handle all these new issues that are coming up at home. I am tired and getting more overwhelmed every day with all the care that is needed.
I personally think once a month is overkill, but if that's what works for you and your loved one, then great. I do agree that they need to continue with their dental care just as with other medical care. When your teeth or mouth hurt, it makes it hard to chew. I don't think the terminal illness should be a factor. At what point do we decide to stop medical/dental/visual care? Depends on your individual situation.
Even if they wear dentures, the gums can change and even the dentures themselves need attention occasionally. Our dentist just treats MIL like any other patient and I answer questions because she can't hear well and wouldn't admit to any pain anyway. Everything is always 'fine'.
As far as how to get her there - I don't trick her or anything. I just tell her a million times we are going to the dentist or whatever and it's time for a checkup. She won't remember from one minute to the next anyway. So I don't have any sage advice for you. How does she usually behave in public? MIL talks loud because she can't hear well, but she innately knows to behave in public. She saves the angry outbursts for home. Lucky us! Just tell the appointment maker that she has dementia and they might even have a hygienist that works especially well with the elderly. They may schedule the appt. for a quieter day in the office or have a room that is off to one side. I know my MIL gets agitated in noisy groups. Tell her anything that will help you with the appt. going smoothly. Good luck.
A dental-mobile would be a great idea! After all they have mobile dog groomers.
Doing a google search for mobile dentistry, I found a website for one in southern California and Nevada. Maybe there are more. Check for one in your area, maybe even call the local council on aging. What a terrific idea!
If she has a regular dentist, go there after checking with her MD to see what procedures she is medically able to handle. Does she need antibiotics prior to dental work, anti anxiety meds? What pain killers can she take if there are fillings or extractions. Let your mom know that the dentist will tell you how to help make her teeth not hurt. Could be as simple as Sensodyne or as big as extractions.
I take my Mom every 6 months and she does fine. The dentist and hygienist is aware and does a beautiful job of handling her. She even had a filling last year. DON'T be fearful people come in all shapes , sizes and mental capabilities.These folks are trained to take care of everyone.
My father aged and had an excellent dentist who cared from him. However, getting an elder who needs a walker and has difficulty getting up and down into a dentist chair can be difficult. He still had a good mind so he could respond to the dentist as to what was wrong with his teeth, where he had tooth pain etc. However fittings for partical plates etc were difficult as their gums are changing so we were always trying to adjust his fittings. Good luck.
Thinking outloud, I get dementia, how wouls someone take care of my teeth if I am like my Mom? My Mom has been bed/wheelchair/recliner ridden over 4 years now. There is no way I could get her out anymore as our Van croaked. Even though she doesnt understand much or speak, I thank her every day for getting false teeth many years ago. I just pop them out and soak them everynight and in 7 years never a problem. I wonder often, should I just get dentures now? lol. As you all probably think, "will I become demented also?"
My dad is great at the dentist.. he likes to flirt with the girls *both dentists are young asian/indians* and they love him and laugh off anything out of line. He is better with them than with me! I also got the parents hand held battery toothbrushes.. they love them
My wife has moderate dementia and likes me to help her brush her teeth. No problem going to the dentist as long as she can see me while she's in the dental chair.
This was interesting timing for me to see this question. Before Thanksgiving my mom lost a tooth that was holding a bridge in the right upper side. The bridge had a tooth on the other end that was a crown to hold the other end in. After the tooth broke and the bridge fell out I made her an appt. with the dentist she had been to many times. Altho she didn't remember him, she was thrilled that he remembered things about her and asked questions. Since we couldn't afford a $1600 to $1800 bridge replacement, he repaired the old one. Put little bars in the broken tooth ( which had had a root canal) cleaned and glued the other end and "made" a tooth to fill the gap where the tooth had broken. What a blessing. We were there around an hour, but was well worth it. He gave us a financial break as well. There are good people out there!
It was a bit more difficult today to get her from the wheelchair to the dentist chair and they had to clean a little deeper
They also wanted to take full mouth X-rays - she got a little nasty when they were taking them but got through it
Unfortunately she has a cavity under a crown and so we'll have a challenge to re-do the crown - she's allergic to novocaine and white knuckles treatment
Also concerned about her forgetting about the temp crown and biting into the wrong thing
She complains about the tooth hurting so I don't want to not treat it
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").
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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.
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APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
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If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
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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.
We found that getting mom a very simple electric toothbrush makes it much easier for her to brush.
YES, tell the dentist ahead so they will allow extra time for her, Will she rinse her mouth? Try an alcohol free mouthwash with fluoride...there are dentists that love older patients..we just need to know they are coming....all the advise above are excellent. A clean mouth is very important to keeping down infections in the body: eg, pneumonia, heart issues, etc
I recently interviewed a dentist for an article that agingcare will have online soon.
He had some ideas that went as far as sedating the elder once they get to the dentist. Unfortunately, none of these options helps those who have problems getting our loved ones to the dentist in the first place.
Anyway, IKORWPA's post is one more reason why a meeting of minds such as occurs in this community is such a vital part of the caregiving process.
Keep posting, my friends!
Carol
Of course it depends upon the individual, but the stress of a dentist visit on a person with advanced dementia could be extreme.
We are six years into diagnosis (which means I've been in charge for the last six years) and she has a beautiful smile, no cavities. She visits their office, sits in their chair, and they make a big fuss over her. She is a beautiful woman inside and out. I would never consider discontinuing her dental care because she has a terminal illness.
My husband and I insist on her brushing her teeth everyday at home and we help her as needed. My mom lives with us. We do not only take her to the dentist. We take her out all the time. If you do it, she's be accustomed to it. It is not easy but it is essential (in my opinion).
Even if they wear dentures, the gums can change and even the dentures themselves need attention occasionally. Our dentist just treats MIL like any other patient and I answer questions because she can't hear well and wouldn't admit to any pain anyway. Everything is always 'fine'.
As far as how to get her there - I don't trick her or anything. I just tell her a million times we are going to the dentist or whatever and it's time for a checkup. She won't remember from one minute to the next anyway. So I don't have any sage advice for you. How does she usually behave in public? MIL talks loud because she can't hear well, but she innately knows to behave in public. She saves the angry outbursts for home. Lucky us! Just tell the appointment maker that she has dementia and they might even have a hygienist that works especially well with the elderly. They may schedule the appt. for a quieter day in the office or have a room that is off to one side. I know my MIL gets agitated in noisy groups. Tell her anything that will help you with the appt. going smoothly. Good luck.
A dental-mobile would be a great idea! After all they have mobile dog groomers.
homecaredentists/index.php
However fittings for partical plates etc were difficult as their gums are changing so we were always trying to adjust his fittings.
Good luck.
Before Thanksgiving my mom lost a tooth that was holding a bridge in the right upper side. The bridge had a tooth on the other end that was a crown to hold the other end in. After the tooth broke and the bridge fell out I made her an appt. with the dentist she had been to many times. Altho she didn't remember him, she was thrilled that he remembered things about her and asked questions. Since we couldn't afford a $1600 to $1800 bridge replacement, he repaired the old one.
Put little bars in the broken tooth ( which had had a root canal) cleaned and glued the other end and "made" a tooth to fill the gap where the tooth had broken. What a blessing. We were there around an hour, but was well worth it. He gave us a financial break as well. There are good people out there!
It was a bit more difficult today to get her from the wheelchair to the dentist chair and they had to clean a little deeper
They also wanted to take full mouth X-rays - she got a little nasty when they were taking them but got through it
Unfortunately she has a cavity under a crown and so we'll have a challenge to re-do the crown - she's allergic to novocaine and white knuckles treatment
Also concerned about her forgetting about the temp crown and biting into the wrong thing
She complains about the tooth hurting so I don't want to not treat it