How to Convince Someone to Get an Evaluation for Dementia

It can take supportiveness, tact, and creativity to encourage someone to have a clinician check out worrisome symptoms. Such evaluations tend to produce anxiety, and few people cavalierly agree to See also:
What could be wrong with my mother-in-law who makes irrational decisions and wets herself, yet the hospital says she's competent?

See all 68 questions about Diagnosing Alzheimer's and Other Dementias one, especially if they have suspicions that something's wrong but have not shared this with family members.

Some ideas:

• Try calling the doctor in advance of a routine check-up to express concerns and ask about a memory screening. Or use another health complaint (fatigue, arthritis) as a pretext for making a physician appointment.
• Keep it positive. Don't focus on the person's deficits but rather on retained skills and strengths and what can be gained by early treatment.
• Make it your issue rather than hers. Explain that you would rest easier knowing that the person has the most up-to-date information about how to retain her memory, function, and quality of life. You want to her to live independently as long as possible.
• Acknowledge fear. "It's not pleasant to think about and I'm a little worried, too. But if we can find out what's behind the mix-ups, then the problem can be treated."
• See more ideas.

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