jmcquown wrote:

> When HIPPA was first signed into law, the first time I saw my doctor I had
> to complete forms indicating to whom they could release medical information.
> Most likely Kimberly's mom had to do the same thing at her doctor's office.
> If she didn't list Kimberly as someone to be allowed access she should see
> if her mom will amend that.
>
> When my mom was in the hospital a while ago they didn't ask her to fill out
> HIPPA forms, I guess because she was admitted through the ER. When we
> raised the subject she didn't know what HIPPA was. And she frankly didn't
> want to think about or be bothered with asking one of the nurses or her
> doctor. So we didn't really know what was going on.
>
> To Kimberly, I'd definitely see if you can get her in for a check-up.
> Depression could be the answer and a lot of times people don't even realize
> they are depressed.
>
> OTOH, it could also be something as simple as a waning appetite as she gets
> older. To everyone else it appears my mom doesn't eat enough. But her
> doctor has found no physical cause and is not concerned.
>
> Jill
>
First off, it is HIPAA, not HIPPA. It doesn't affect your mom getting
information about her own condition directly if she asks right there
while getting cared for.
The HIPAA laws protect patient information from being disclosed to
others who have no right or need to know. And you'd be shocked to hear
some of the instances I've experienced on people seeking information
that have *no* business hearing it! Trauma-Drama, we call it, lol.
If your mom asked for information about her own condition to a health
care provider while you're standing right there, I might ask her if she
wants me to tell you too or perhaps I'll just assume her bringing it up
implies she has no problems with you hearing the answer, but signing
some piece of paper is just a way to alert the patient to the law and
cover the hospitals ass later should something be questioned about
privacy. That piece of signed paper isn't required.

As for the OP's mom- depression is a very real possibility and pretty
common in the elderly. But as has been mentioned also, taste buds also
diminish over time and often affect the pleasure of eating. Sweet foods
are often most enjoyed as that is the taste least (or lastly) lost.
But I've also seen many patients who slowly lose their appetite because
slow growing tumors are compressing the stomach and leading to a false
sense of fullness, or other illnesses which affect appetite. So she
really does need a full work up.