They maybe old, but they are not dead!

At the end of last week, I was examining a patient with a cardiologist. I was suppose to take the patent's blood pressure and listen to his heart. I introduced myself and started to take his blood pressure. My lovely patient, lets call him Mr. MemoryProblem, said to the cardiologist, "if my blood pressure is up, it is this girl's fault." Then Mr. MemoryProblem asked my name several times and declared that he probably won't remember my name but he will always remember my face.

On Monday, Farley and I went to see another demented patient, who we will call Mr. Dementia. Mr. Dementia was feisty and tried to teach us life lesions, but I think he just liked lecturing us. Anyway, I thought Mr. Dementia didn't want us doing a history and physical because he was extremely agitated; however, he kept telling us that he did want us there and that we shouldn't leave. Just based upon observation, I thought that he had a serious visual impairment or was even blind, but he kept saying things like "move so I can see you" so I thought maybe he could see. Farley was asking questions for a while, then Mr. Dementia loudly asked, "Where is the pretty girl?" I presumed that he was talking about me and I replied that I am still here. Then it was my turn to ask questions and he said he was happy to answer, "The pretty girl's questions". During the physical exam, Farley was looking into Mr. Dementia's eyes (to see the retina, vessels, etc)., and Mr. Dementia informed us that he is blind. Then he told us that he knew I was a pretty girl because of my voice. Farley said something like, "she is a good person" to which Mr. Dementia declared, "How do you know? She isn't your wife! Besides, she is interested in me not you, young man." It was all I could do to keep from laughing. I only wish I had a picture of the look on Farley's face.

But the fun isn't just for me. One of the little ladies got a HUGE smile on her face when Farley did a cardiac exam on her and even winked at the doctor for assigning Farley to do her exam! She was watching Farley every chance she got, but unlike the older gentleman, she didn't ignore the doctor to check Farley out.

I guess the bottom line is, these geriatrics patients maybe old, but they aren't dead!