This was originally from a first week assignment “finding composition in the field.”  However, I was feeling like a rubberband . . . quite stretched.  I was short on time, so instead of becoming an interviewer, I chose to detail the process where I was interviewed as part of my mother’s on-going testing at the Morton Plant Memory Disorders Clinic. 

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During the last couple of months, to put it bluntly, my mother’s memory sadly, crashed and burned.  Her primary care physician recommended she receive testing at the neuroscience center at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater.  It is not only for the elderly.  The waiting room is full of people of all ages.  It is apparent that some, unfortunately, have experienced head injuries from car crashes and other traumas.  (SOAP BOX OPPORTUNITY - HANG UP AND DRIVE!!)  The facility offers "one-stop-shopping."  Patients and caregivers are able to visit one medical center to be evaluated by both an MD and PhD, participate in memory assessment testing, receive assistance from a social worker, obtain physical medical tests, and participate in support groups.

The first step in the process is for the patient to meet with the director, neurologist Dr. Diana Pollock.  Dr. Pollock reviews the patient's history and medications, and administers a few minor physical and verbal tests.  The next step is for the patient to transfer recent medical records that Dr. Pollock beleives may be pertinent.  My mother previously had a sleep disorder study and recent labwork.  Dr. Pollock ordered a MRI and a meeting with the center's neuropsychologist.  Later, based on the results of the sleep study and recent labwork, additional lab work was ordered, along with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine for the treatment of sleep apnea.

The next visit was with neuropsychologist, Dr. Angela McBride (PhD).  Dr. McBride reviews family history with the patient and family and administers the patient a few brief verbal and written tests.  Dr. McBride's personality fit perfectly with her position and responsibilities.  She has the sweetest personality one can imagine and the amazing patience needed to work with the elderly or people suffering from traumatic brain injuries.  After the assessment, Dr. McBride orders a series of verbal and written tests based on the patient's age, education level, work history, and other pertinent factors.  Depending on the patient's capabilities, this series of tests run 1-3 hours and are generally scheduled for the following week.  The results are used to assess the individual patient's memory compared to other individuals that are approximately the same age with a comparable education and history.  During the time the patient is in testing, the primary caregiver is requested to meet with a social worker from the center.  The social worker obtains more in-depth family history information and asks questions regarding changes the caregiver may have noticed in the patient's memory and when the timeline these changes occurred.  I met for two and a half hours with a woman named Kerry while my mom took her written and verbal tests.

Meeting Kerry was like meeting an old friend.  I know no better way to say it.  She met me in the waiting room and we walked along a corridor adorned with small colored lights used to decorate windows and trees at Christmastime.  She mentioned they like to keep the environment festive for the patients.  We sat in a small, windowed conference room while she interviewed me, beginning with questions on my mom's early family life and siblings, or what I knew of it since our parents' past comes to us from hear say really.  We talked about what changes I have noticed in my mom's memory, when these changes began, and how they have progressed.  Then she asked how I was doing.  Seriously!  This, she says, is part of her job.  So, in my humble opinion, this woman gets paid to be a nice person.  Awesome work if you can get it!! 

Before I left, Kerry provided me with a book, compliments of the center, The 36-Hour Day.  Apparently most caregivers experiences a lot of the same emotions - the guilt for not being there 24/7 and wanting to have a life of your own; for raising your voice (then feeling awful you did!) because a loved one took the wrong dose of their medication and you're actually frightened for them, not angry with them.  The process was very informal.  She began with a list of questions, but we jumped all over the board depending on what comments and subjects came up, then filled in the missing blanks at the end.

We waited a few weeks for all the test results to be evaluated and then met again with both Dr. Pollack and Dr. McBride.  Dr. Pollack provided the unwelcomed, overall diagnosis and discussed medication, caregiving and living arrangements and the process going forward.  Afterwards, we met with Dr. McBride who provided both of us a copy of the memory assessment.  She asked my mom how she felt about her diagnosis.  She then spent an hour discussing the results of each test section, score and what the results meant within the realms of day to day living.

I sincerely hope you never need the services at this facility, but if you do, I highly recommend it.  You and your loved ones will never be treated like a number and will always treated with dignity and respect.  Pinellas County residents are fortunate to have a facility such as this as part of their community. 

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Sidebar Announcement:  USFSP offers it's community of currently enrolled students a Wellness Center.   As one of my professors informed his class "everyone can use a tune up."  Presently unemployed, my mottos is "if it's free, it's for me."  I found the services helpful.  If you are struggling to balance work, life and school you may may find the services useful also.  If nothing else, take advantage of the sanctuary of the relaxation room and try out the massage chair.  As they say on all the commercial air carriers - you need to put on your own oxygen mask first in order to assist others.

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