My elderly mother won't see a doctor?

I believe my mother has symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. I don't know for sure and she is refusing to see a doctor. I want her to live with me so that I can look after her and she refuses to see a doctor to get diagnosed or get some help. I stayed with her for a while and she forgets my name. She also puts odd things like pet shampoo in the refrigerator. She is paranoid about neighbors we have known for years trying to rob her and kill her! She cannot cook anymore because she burns her pots and pans. She used to be interested in things and it seems like she has lost interest in everything. She is restless and up all night and sleeps in the day. She was never like this before and I have noticed major personality changes over the past year or so. She used to be a dynamic very intelligent woman. Shrewed business woman. Now, she cannot even keep her checkbook. I am worried about her! I really love her and want to take care of her but how can I get her to see a doctor?

Maybe you can get a health proffessional to see her at home. Ask her doctor if he would or someone in that field who does. Family Services are a great help with this too. You may have to force a diagnosis and if you want to care for her, it may have to be enforced like with a lawyer to get you started. My sister had to do this with her father in law and became Power of Attorney for him.. He did finally have to go to a nursing home when she can no longer care for him. Talk to both doctor and a lawyer and or Family Services.

i'm so sorry to hear of your mom's difficulties. if you know who her doc is you can call and ask them if they can suggest anything. do you have any other family that can talk to her?maybe a good friend of hers?check her medicine cabinet too. could she be taking something that you're unaware of? the only other thing i know of is to get medical power of attorney. it sounds as though that may be necessary. i hope all goes well. god bless.

Do you have power-of-attorney for your Mom? You need to try to get it.

Without legal intervention, nothing.
I'm sure it won't be pretty, or inexpensive, but you could file a motion to have her declared "mentally incompetent" or something to the nature that her mental capabilities have diminished.
I'd suggest having as many family and friends encourage her to see a doctor-

Your diagnosis is correct. I had a neighbor lady exactly like that. If you had another sibling it would help. Maybe a close friend and you can "trick" her into going somewhere and end up at the doctors. If she has a family doctor, I would ask him for suggestions, or maybe a specialists how to do it.