I’m back on my phone call focus with good reason.  My wife’s G P rang this afternoon to ask me to take her in to discuss the fact that her cholesterol level was higher than it had been for a while.   He spent quite some time  explaining the risk factors and the need to go back on statins.  In his normal informal style he did his best to persuade M that she need to add an additional tablet to her daily regime.  He was well aware that he had a job on his hands, as M is reluctant to take tablets unless they are essential.

M seems very disheartened by the news that she needs to take statins.  I think it is difficult for her to grasp the importance of keeping her cholesterol within safe limits.  Like me his explanations may have been too long and complicated.  It was another occasion where KISSS  (Keep It Simple Stupid and Short) would have been applicable.   Even a G P  may find it difficult to change his style when he is trying to communicate with someone who has dementia.   All M can focus on is that she has to take another tablet for life.  She doesn’t seem to understand it is to prevent a further stroke.

The irony is we were just settling down for our afternoon siesta when the phone rang.  Another 5 minutes and the landline would have been disconnected, so we could have had a rest in peace.  No chance of that now and I fear a battle may lay ahead to persuade M to take an additional tablet  this evening.  Those flipping phones if it isn’t PPI: it’s statins.