He refuses to go to the doctor. How do I convince him?

My husband says there's nothing wrong with him, that all doctors are charlatans, and he refuses to go to appointments. I'm afraid the disease will progress without monitoring.

Many people with dementia don't recognise they are ill — not out of stubbornness, but because the disease itself affects self-awareness (it has a technical name: anosognosia). Insisting with "you are ill, you have to go" usually reinforces the refusal.

Circumvent instead of confront

Associate the appointment with another reason: "we're going for the annual check-up, I'm going too," "it's to renew prescriptions," "Dr. asked to see you about your blood pressure." Schedule it for the time of day when the person is at their best, and don't announce it too many days in advance — anticipation fuels anxiety.

If there's a professional they trust (the pharmacist, a former doctor, a known nurse), ask that person to suggest the appointment. Coming from an outside source, the same phrase carries more weight.

Prepare the ground with the team

Inform the healthcare team beforehand that the person doesn't know or accept the diagnosis — professionals accustomed to dementia will adjust their language. You can also write your observations on a piece of paper and hand it in separately, so you don't have to describe the problems in front of the person.

If the refusal is total and there are worrying signs (rapid weight loss, falls, acute confusion), contact their GP anyway: some health centres offer home support, and the doctor can guide the next steps.