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sensitivemuse Asked October 2013

Dad refusing to go to doctor, what to do?

My dad recently got diagnosed with dementia. He's about to see a geriatric specialist for the first time tomorrow. Now I kept reminding him about it for the past week, each time he says: "Okay we'll go" so one day before the appointment he now says: "NO WAY not going" he's done this before with his neurologist where on the day, he refused to go. is there any advice on what I can do? :(

gladimhere Oct 2013
I agree, do not remind him. When taking my mom to the doc she says I'm healthy why do I need to, do they just want my money, etc. I tell her once, if she asks where we are going, I tell her we will talk about it in the car. But I have not had problems getting her out of the car because she does not recognize where we are and valet parks.

sensitivemuse Oct 2013
thanks both of you. will give that a try! one day at a time :)

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jeannegibbs Oct 2013
My mother can get kind of anxious about appointments even if they are things she wants to do, like get her hair done. My sister (with whom she lives) has decided it is best to tell her once and then drop it until the day of the appointment. Less time to obsess! On the other hand, my husband did best with lots of advance notice and reminders. One size does not fit all for any aspect of dementia. You'll have to discover for yourself what works best with your Dad.

For tomorrow's appointment, I agree with ps -- try to focus on going out to eat, or stopping at the book store, or having a beer in the pub -- something he will consider fun.

pamstegma Oct 2013
Don't remind him. Don't fuel his obsession. Just tell him on the day of, that you're going to a doctor at X o'clock and take him. If he doesn't have time to think about it, he will go. Get him to focus on going out to eat after the appt.

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