A friend, age 79, had a bad fall and concussion last year. She has become very forgetful, even forgetting the fall. She is stubborn and I think frightened that she has Alzheimer’s and refuses to see a neurologist. Family has tried to convince her to see a doctor. Any suggestions? I always thought I wouldn’t want to be told I had an incurable disease but now there are some medications that can at least delay progression if caught early. What do you think could move her?
There may have been a hematoma pressing on a vital center.
In recent falls this is handled emergently with drilling of a burr hole to release the bleed.
I would move her by telling her that there may have been a small brain bleed under there pressuring the brain and she should have a scan to ascertain this. Explain the sudden changes you saw after this fall and tell her there is a chance a scan can show an area pressured in her brain.
In all truth, what damage was done from a year ago in time is too late to address now. Any bleed will have done what damage it did do. But a scan would be useful in differentiating reason for her changes.
ALZ is not caused by a concussion. Even though its under the Dementia umbrella, it effects the brain differently. Usually inherited.
If she has not had a follow up after the concussion that should be done.
I would approach it as a "concussion" follow up. Nothing more.
Since we are now starting to get all the information about insurance and "open enrollment" is soon I would also suggest that she have the "Medicare Annual exam"
Now that I have said all that...
This is a friend.
You are not a relative.
I am assuming you are not POA or Guardian
Say your piece then let it go.
To see a doctor or not is her decision
Let her know that you support her
Let her know that you will be there for her if she needs it.
Let her know that you are going to let the matter drop, that you are not going to hound her any more.
You can't do more than that.
(but if you are out together and she gets dizzy or shows signs of confusion you are within your right to tell her that you feel that she should go to the emergency room)
So encourage her to get a follow-up visit about the concussion. People go to cardiologists for their heart, ophthalmologists for their eyes, and pulmonologists when their lungs aren't working right; so why not see a brain specialist about a hurt brain?