I'm in the same position as you. I'm positive my husband has dementia and he also refuses to discuss with his MD. He had a regular check up last week and I actually called prior to the appointment and discussed my concern with the doctor's assistant in the hope that he would be referred to a neurologist. He gets extremely angry when I urge him to discuss this with his MD and am at my wits end. I was hoping for some assistance by making the call to his MD without his knowledge but it was a waste of time as nothing whatsoever was brought up during his office visit. I have no idea what to do.
I also called his neurologist a day before his 3rd appt. (which she was checking also for myasthenia gravis and parkinsons's and then ruled that out.) and asked her to look for symptoms of dementia. At the meeting she didn't quiz him at all about his short term memory, etc. I'm still hoping he will see a neurologist, but he is in denial.
I have no idea how we are to proceed. Along with short term memory loss and repeating himself constantly as well as me having to repeat everything to him, my husband can't tell anyone his address nor his phone number, is depressed, has extreme mood swings and is very uncomfortable being in new surroundings. After his last MD appointment, I have decided to no longer go with him into the exam room. I will remain in the waiting room and wish them luck in getting answers to questions that I usually have to answer for him. I'm done with "covering up" for him!
Our situation is similar, yet my husband remembers some things such as what he had for lunch. On the other hand, he can misplace his keys and doesn't remember where he put them. Then he says the trespassers were here again--he has had paranoia for years, but his dementia has intensified the paranoia. I try to change the subject or I start looking and sometimes find the keys or whatever he is looking for. My husband can tell you his address, but he can't seem to remember my cell number or his. Yes, he also has depression, but he has had that for years. He is a Korean war veteran so probably also has post traumatic stress. I also go with him for his dr. appts. I know what you mean about having to answer questions for him. The local Alzheimer Support Group has been very helpful. You might google it for your area and start attending a local group.
him. The local Alzheimer Support Group has been very helpful. You might google it for your area and start attending a local group.