Dr. Janet Keating
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month shining light on the disease and its increasing impact on communities. In the U.S., the number of people diagnosed continues to spike along with costs of treatment and people providing care to their family members.
The Alzheimer’s Association reports, “More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Without the development of medical breakthroughs that prevent, slow or stop the disease, by 2050, the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease could reach 13.8 million.”
The growing older adult population remains heavily affected. “One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia in the United States,” according to the 2013 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report.
Helping care for patients and families, including those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, is Suncoast Hospice physician Janet Keating, MD. Here in this Q&A she discusses her extensive medical profession, many effects of Alzheimer’s, and the Suncoast Hospice and Empath Health services available for the community.
Q&A with Dr. Janet Keating on Alzheimer’s:
1. What is your professional background?
I am a board-certified family physician with 25 years of experience in a variety of areas of practice including private practice, academia, and most recently institutional and long-term care.
2. What are your credentials?
My credentials include undergraduate degrees in chemistry and medical technology from Northwest Missouri State University, medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine; and residency (three years of post-MD training) in family medicine at Duke University. I am also still an assistant consulting professor in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at Duke.
3. When did you join Suncoast Hospice?
April 2015.
4. Why did you choose to go in to hospice and palliative care?
I chose hospice and palliative care because I feel we need to care for people at the end of life with the same attention and compassion that we do for children when they are born.
5. In your words, please explain what Alzheimer’s is.
Alzheimer’s disease is a particular type of damage to the brain and nervous system that causes permanent and disabling loss of function and ultimately death. It is the most common type of dementia. It is loss of the ability to think, learn and remember, and thus loss of the ability to function in society and care for oneself.
6. Alzheimer’s is a growing disease internationally. How do you see Alzheimer’s impacting communities?
The burden of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is the need for constant supervision and care. It is extraordinarily draining for families – physically, emotionally and financially. Communities are having difficulty keeping up the demand for support services for these families.
7. It has been reported that some physicians choose to not disclose Alzheimer’s diagnoses to patients, for fear of causing them emotional distress. How do you feel about that?
All patients should be given their diagnosis in clear language at a level they can understand. Particularly with a disease like Alzheimer’s, that can be variable in its presentation and progression. It is important that the patient and family understand what they may be dealing with so they can plan appropriately.
8. Have you worked with patients with all stages of Alzheimer’s?
Yes.
9. What have your experiences been like caring for Alzheimer’s patients and their families?
Too many people have not had a good explanation about the disease – its symptoms, its progression and its effects on caregivers. Many people living with Alzheimer’s patients feel isolated. Depression and burnout are common. Having access to information and resources for support can make all the difference for a struggling family. When I can spend even 30 minutes sitting with a caregiver and answering questions, explaining behaviors, or helping with directions to support services, it is like lifting a two-ton weight off of that person.
10. What are your goals in your care?
My goals for care are to achieve the best quality of life for both the patient and caregiver. That can be different for different people, but that is the goal.
11. What are the biggest challenges that Alzheimer’s patients face?
Lack of services and support for themselves and their families.
12. Are Alzheimer’s patients usually dealing with other types of health conditions and, if so, which are the most common?
Alzheimer’s patients deal with all of the same problems of any aging individual, such as heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease.
13. What types of services do Suncoast Hospice and Empath Health provide to Alzheimer’s patients?
Suncoast Hospice can provide end-of-life support and services for patients in the last few months of their life with Alzheimer’s disease. This includes physical, emotional and spiritual support during a difficult time. Empath Health has home health services and the PACE program, among others, that can support during some of the middle stages of care when help is needed with supervision and management of co-existing medical conditions.
14. What advice do you have for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients?
Ask questions, find information and network with other families to get support over the long term.
15. How has your work with Suncoast Hospice impacted your life?
I have been impressed with how all of the people that I work with are committed to the care of our patients and families.
Caring for a relative or friend with Alzheimer’s? Come to a free Empath Health Caregiver Coffee Break for information, camaraderie and support.