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How to help a senior from home with potential dementia. Doesn't want to go to doctor.

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Mom's neurologist had her draw a clock with different times on it at each visit.

i.e. Had her draw say 10:15.

She would practice drawing a clock before her neurologist appointments.
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Reply to brandee
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If you intervene, you're enabling this person to avoid medical care that could help them. For how long would you be willing to do this? Until they fall and lie on the floor for hours or days with a broken hip? Until they drive their car into a group of children waiting for a school bus?

You haven't told us much, but because you suspect dementia I assume that this person is showing cognitive decline. Please call Adult Protective Services or their relatives if they have some. Dementia isn't something you can slap a bandaid on. It is a serious illness, and the treatment isn't Do-It-Yourself. This person needs medical care! If you truly want to help, see that he/she gets it.

If you can't bring yourself to make sure they see a doctor, then stay out of it altogether, because maybe someone else will help to get them what they need.
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Reply to Fawnby
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Dementia is diagnosed by several types of cognitive tests and not all given in one day. There is s blood test for genetic comparisons, MRI and CT to differentiate and there is a PET scan available in certain locations. The PCP can screen but a good diagnosis will come from the geriatric specialists.
If you were hoping for one test tells all, if something came up positive, you still have a resistant person who will not see a doctor. You might have to wait for a serious accident before you can ask for help. Sad.
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Reply to MACinCT
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