Do your own homework! Having good relationships with reliable and competent medical professionals is important to all of us, but the responsibility to ask questions about our prescriptions and treatments and to do some basic homework on medical recommendations belongs to each of us, and those who oversee the care of loved ones who can no longer make decisions for themselves.
As an example, one of Dad's doctors prescribed an anti-psychotic medication for him. Dad had the obvious memory recall issues, memory loss, and skills decline symptoms that accompany dementia, but he had no swings of mood that resembled any condition like bi-polar disorder or depression. Our request was simply for a sleep aid to help Dad on those occasional nights when he was more restless and needed a little assistance to get his full 11 hours rest. The need to take a bedtime sleeping aid was usually less than once a week. Sometimes, he could go weeks without needing a sleeping pill. Thankfully, he slept well and long most nights.
When I researched that medication, I was shocked at the doctor's decision. It is prescribed for those with bi-polar disorders, depression, and Parkinson's disease. The side effects could be detrimental and difficult to manage at home, especially with regard to an elderly dementia patient. Fortunately, the doctor closed the office and moved to another state before Dad had his next 6-month check-up. I certainly lost confidence in that physician.
What did I learn? That my nature to research, research, research served us well. That it's always right to ask questions, question assumptions, second-guess, get a second opinion, and do my own homework. I don't believe in blind faith, especially blind trust in a doctor. Do your homework too!
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