Lead with a specific, concrete observation rather than a conclusion, tie the visit to something they already want, and offer to handle the logistics. Avoid the word dementia early, and involve their existing doctor, whose suggestion often carries more weight than yours.
Lead with a specific, concrete observation rather than a conclusion, tie the visit to something they already want, and offer to handle the logistics. Avoid the word dementia early, and involve their existing doctor, whose suggestion often carries more weight than yours.
Telling a parent you think something is wrong with their brain puts them in a position where agreeing means accepting a frightening conclusion. Resistance in that situation is not stubbornness, it is a reasonable response to a threat. It is also worth knowing that in some conditions, particularly frontotemporal dementia, loss of insight is part of the illness rather than denial, so no amount of persuasive argument will produce agreement. The approaches that work tend to lower the stakes rather than win the point.
Name one specific thing you noticed and its practical consequence: missing a bill twice, getting lost on a familiar route, a near miss driving. Concrete beats general. Frame the appointment as ruling things out rather than confirming something, which is also accurate, since thyroid problems, vitamin deficiency, medication effects and sleep disorders are common and treatable. Attach it to something they already care about, such as keeping their licence or staying independent. Offer to book it, drive them and come in.
Their existing doctor is usually the most effective route, because a suggestion from someone they already trust lands differently from a suggestion from their child. You can contact that practice with your concerns even if you cannot attend, and it is reasonable to do so. Attaching the assessment to a routine review avoids singling it out. Where safety is at immediate risk, particularly driving or medication errors, that changes the calculation and warrants raising it with their doctor directly rather than waiting for agreement.
Clinical Neurology Specialists has been physician-owned since 1998, when Leo Germin, M.D., FAANEM founded it. Five board-certified neurologists and four advanced practice providers see patients at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices, each with its own AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratory.
Clinical Neurology Specialists is an adult outpatient neurology practice for patients 18 and older. The practice performs no surgery and operates no imaging suite, infusion suite or interventional pain programme, and provides no emergency or inpatient care.
Physician-reviewed. Reviewed by the physicians of Clinical Neurology Specialists — board-certified neurologists, AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratories, physician-owned since 1998. Reviewed 1 August 2026. This article is general education for adults 18 and older and is not a substitute for a consultation.
Sources and further reading: National Institute on Aging; MedlinePlus: memory; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
Adults 18 and older, at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices. Call 702-804-1212 or request an appointment online.