Can a neurologist refuse to give a diagnosis of dementia?

They say dementia is never fully diagnosed until an autopsy thats the only time they can say 100 per cent!
I am waiting to get my mum diagnosed so I feel your pain you need this to sort out legal issues and I desperately need it to wake my family up they dont think its dementia but depression but how would they know when they only spend a few days a year with her????????

I would speak to her doc and tell him you are not satisfied and want a proper written diagnosis.

Its bad enough caring for a loved one without the crap the docs put us through it just makes it all the more stressful.

good luck and a hug its so frustrating I wanted to punch my mums doc one day as he wouldnt listen to all the dangerous stuff she was at?

My mother was there when she told me the diagnosis but my mother could not hear or understand very well at the time. It is when I asked for it in writing that she started giving me the run around.

my friend whose mum had als told me that the diagnosis will be discussed with a patient and not family but obviously a family member is present if they are still competent then patient/doc confidentiality is still valid am very surprised she told you this unless your mum was with you? Just saying thats the way it is here maybe different in US?

Ha too funny! if he had to go to court you would have to pay him for every minute of his time, I would think he'd want the money!

Thanks! My lawyer says she can submit the neuro-psych report by itself. The neurologist did not give a reason but kept passing the buck- first she said the GP would be the one to submit a diagnosis (because he knows her better) and then said the neuropsychologist should submit the form because he did the test. This is total BS in both cases since she examined her and is supposed to be the expert, the one the courts would take seriously. I am definitely going to another doctor for treatment. My lawyer says the neurologist is afraid of having to go to court if it comes to that. This whole thing just seems so unethical.

You can maybe get the records and just submit them if the assessment in the neurologist note indicates dementia. I am dismayed that someone will verbally tell you and then not stand behind it with a written document saying the same thing. Not sure what they are afraid of. My mom's primary care doc and a geriatric psychiatrist did her two letters in a heartbeat.

Did she give a reason? Personally, I would have the neurologist send her medical records to my General Practitioner. Let them review it, depending he might document it based on the neurologist findings combined with his own records. If not, request a referral to a different doctor. I wouldn't waste my time forcing this doctor. It could damage the patient doctor relationship in the future and that definitely isn't worth it in my opinion.