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Ways to encourage someone with memory loss to see the doctor

(10 Posts)
chrisw Sun 04-Feb-18 09:39:27

I wonder if you could offer advice please. A friend is very concerned about her husband’s memory loss and having just spent a holiday with them it is evident that she has reason to be worried. She did make an appointment for him at a memory clinic, but he phoned and cancelled saying that he did not want anyone telling him that he had Alzheimer’s. Given that there are medications that can help what should/can she do, if anything?

tanith Sun 04-Feb-18 09:42:50

She should have a conversation with his GP about her concerns and maybe the GP can call him in for a routine health check and take it from there.

kittylester Sun 04-Feb-18 09:42:57

Was he referred by the gp?

Fennel Sun 04-Feb-18 09:48:36

My friend's sister went to their GP because of that. The poor man didn't want to go - mainly he was terrified they would stop him driving.
He was diagnosed as having early signs of dementia (horrible name) but can still drive.

loopyloo Sun 04-Feb-18 09:51:54

Not sure that they give medication in early dementia so not sure I would go.

kittylester Sun 04-Feb-18 10:02:02

If the dementia is one of the ones that are suitable for treatment then the earlier that treatment is started the better.

I was not aware that it was possible to make an appointment with a memory clinic without referral - they'd be snowed under by the worried well.

Niobe Sun 04-Feb-18 10:04:22

I agree with you Loopyloo, I don't think that any of the medications are particularly effective so what is the point . The only advantage of having a diagnosis is that the family may get extra support but the way things are I doubt if even that is available to many.

trisher Sun 04-Feb-18 10:44:13

How old is he? Does her GP do yearly checks over 70? If so should get picked up. If not suggest MOTs for both of them and raise her concerns with the GP beforehand .

Luckygirl Sun 04-Feb-18 10:49:33

My mother had dementia and was on a drug (which was in its early stages then) that was brilliant. It improved things no end. But, as it was a new drug, NICE insisted that the protocol was that she had to go off it after 6 months. She did, and slid rapidly downhill. This drug will be well and truly tried and tested now. I cannot remember the name, but it began with R.

annsixty Sun 04-Feb-18 11:01:37

My H resisted going to the Dr for ages. When he did the locum told him he just had a bad memory.
That set us back 18 months.
When it was obvious he was getting worse, he wouldn't believe it as the first Dr had told him what he wanted to hear.I tried to get the surgery involved by perhaps calling him for meds review or some other way of getting him in but all they would say was, it has to come from him.
Lots of nagging did get him there and a visit at home from a Psychiatrist confirmed what I knew for a couple of years.
Medication has little effect frankly although my He's progress was slow at first.
Now it is more noticeable month on month.