No, I have never heard of elder networks. Shezbut, could you tell me more about what they are and where I would find them? Are they run from hospitals, the community, or where? What do they do? Can I look them up in the phone book or on the Internet? (under "elder network"?) I would very much like to identify sources of support for my parents but don't know what is out there. Thank you, shezbut, for any information you can give (and what you already have given)--much appreciated.

Recently I have been trying to see if a nurse could come to their home once every couple of weeks to check on them. But this is tough going. I am not getting to square one--meeting with resistance from my parents. They are just so confused about their health insurance and what coverage they have. I tried to call the place they go for medical care just to get the correct phone number for them to call to query about nursing and even this was met with resistance from the people on the phone due to HIPAA. All I wanted was a phone number my parents could call for help, instead of their having to wade through endless phone trees, busy signals, voice mails, etc. I just wanted a direct phone number so they could make one call and ask their questions. That's not an invasion of privacy, is it, to ask for a phone number?

I have tried that, but due to HIPAA I am not allowed to talk to my parents' doctors. Since you live in Australia, you may not be familiar with HIPAA, but it is a safeguard of patients' rights and privacy and it is very strict--no way around it. My parents will not give me permission to accompany them to doctors' appointments either. Even my mother would like to attend my father's appointments, to get more information on his many health problems, but he won't allow that.

So I am pursuing the idea of getting nursing help. That might be something I could "buy" for them out of my pocket if they won't give me information about their insurance. It's slow going, though. Another thing I am trying to do is get a case manager assigned to them, but this is hard too, due to the same HIPAA problem.

When my mother told me about the "hallucinations" I urged her to tell her doctor, in particular to tell the doctor who prescribed the bupropion. She said she will tell him at the next appointment. I suggested she call right away and let him know, as he would want to know if she was having side effects. But she will not. She doesn't want to "bother" her doctor with this and says she will wait until she sees him for something else.

In the meantime if someone here can shed any light on any of this, share your own experiences, or suggest resources, it is much appreciated. Thanks.