Are There Any Medical or Mental Health Professionals Out There??

[CO Liberal]

A question came up on the Justice/Public Safety board where we could use some professional input. Here's the link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=12828

The question is in post #30 in that thread.

Thanks.

Wayne
(CO Liberal)

[liberalhistorian]

1. I'm not quite clear on what the question is,

are you referring to the post about the father and son being charged with negligence in a 12-year-old's shooting death?

[CO Liberal]

3. No

The 71-year-old man sufferring from dementia who used a gun to scare his son.

[Misinformed01]

2. Should a person with dementia have access to guns?

I don't think that they should; however, I would suggest that Charlton Heston might be setting a precedent here.

[DemBones DemBones]

4. The man alleged to have dementia was also driving his car,

which he shouldn't be doing if he in fact has dementia.

I will make the observation that some physicians are a bit too quick to label an older person as having senile dementia, just as some physicians will blow off older patients with serious complaints (symptoms) with statements like "Well, you have to expect changes as you get older." I'd definitely get a second opinion if told a relative had senile dementia. But I'd take steps to keep them from driving or having access to guns after the first diagnosis or my own first suspicions about their mental condition. Aren't doctors required to notify the DMV when they diagnose dementia in a patient?

[Mairead]

6. I agree with the 'bit too quick', particularly since cognitive disturbance

can be a temporary condition caused by diet or even social isolation, both completely reversable.

[revcarol]

5. Some people who have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimers

have been "cured" by providing the B vitamins they lack.

Get a second and a third opinion and make sure that all medical tests which could be another explanation have been taken, assessed, and shared among all three doctors.Include a board-certified gerontologist among the three doctors.In the mean time, take the ignition thingie out of the steering wheel to protect everyone, including the patient.Contact local gunshops and pawn shops to make sure they don't sell him any guns or ammo until you get this thing resolved.

Have the person examined for depression by several competent psychiatrists. Could be that the person feels so overwhelmed and helpless in his situation that the only way he can protect his interests or even his life against stronger people is with a gun.

The point I am trying to make is that not all dementia-diagnosed people actually have dementia. Some are helped by the procedure which increases the blood supply, thus oxygen, to the brain, so check out EVERYTHING MEDICALLY.

The other point is that there are relatives who do PREY on seniors, sometimes with the best of intentions and sometimes with evil intent.
And what defense does the senior have, if he is depressed and sees his very life being taken away? Depressed people do not consider other options, like lawyers, like family counseling. They just assume that this is a last-ditch situation and act accordingly, sometimes with suicide and sometimes with attack.

BE CAREFUL HERE. The patient will probably assume that everyone is against him.Having a family friend explain to him in ten different ways why he needs to see the doctors and actually taking him will be your best bet.Hope this helps. Have dealt with this several times in my ministry, and only one time did the patient actually have dementia.