Several of my Moms doctors have told us that my 89 year old Mom has dementia. There is no doubt that this is not true, my brother and I are very aware. Mom has resided in a nice Resthome for 6 years and is well cared for.
Her primary care doctor asked if we wanted a referral for her to see a Neurologist for a diagnosis and determination of Alzheimer's vs. other types of dementia. Her advanced osteoporosis, blindness and increased confusion makes it difficult to take her to appointments.
Is it really important for her to see a Neurologist when we all agree that she has dementia onset?
Mom tore her rotor cuff and needed surgery and the ortho guy required that mom get an evaluation by a gerontologist before he would do surgery. Ortho was with med school and she got into the gerontology program via his referral. It was a huge - and I am not exaggerating - difference in approach to her care and her needs. She saw the gerontolgoist, neurologist and other specialists in the department. It was determined that she has Lewy Body Dementia. Lewy is pretty different than ALz and she is pretty classic Lewy in how she has changed in her cognitive abilities. She pretty well sailed through the surgery too and did the rehab well and went back to her home and then into IL for a couple of years and now is in NH and is now on hospice (she fell and shattered her hip in June).
Her quality of life was very much better by seeing the gerontology group. Some of the meds usually given for ALZ are totally contraindicated for Lewy and can cause psych. severe issues - so yes it is important to have the right diagnosis. Most doc's really do not have the training to determine the difference in dementia's so seeing a neurologist could be really the best way to provide a care plan for her. The right medications in my experience do make a difference to enable them to be more competent with their ADL's and cognitive in their interactions; the right meds based on a good diagnosis will slow down the disease - it very much did that for my mom.
It's very important to diagnose which dementia she has because some meds are great for Alzheimer but is really bad for those who have Lewy Body dementia. Each disease have their own "trademark" on what you can expect as they progress.
So, yes, I think it would be great for everyone if you know what she has so that you can research on it and prepare yourselves as your mom continues to deteriorate.