How to convince my spouse to go to the doctor for her memory issues.

RN, what would she (or you) gain by diagnosis.
Is there a particular medication, she might benefit from, because they all have downsides.
You might read up on memory loss. Her primary care will cooperate if you ask for a nutritional status report, just making sure that she is absorbing vitamin B12 and that her iron levels are sufficient. There a new indications that B 2 is memory protective You might make sure that she carries a cell phone with GPS navigation system. Or that she has a tracker on something that she walks with.
I don't think you should convince her. You've introduced the idea, eventually it may start to sound like a good move to her. At this stage she probably wouldn't get any pharmaceutical help. It's normal to resist indications.
And you might be wrong. It is good that you are noticing. Best to apologize, stay in her good graces and keep a watchful eye. Science isn't giving us good answers, yet. If your wife is headed that way, you'll both have that trial soon enough.

Here is test a family member can take to screen for dementia
https://www.tembo.health/quizzes/does-my-parent-have-dementia-quiz

Hi RN,
I'm sorry that your wife is having memory problems. I'm also 79 and none of us at that age want to admit that we have any problems! I would suggest that you do a Google search for "foods that help memory" and find her favorites. That may help a lot before you have to go see a doctor. I do know from my husband being ill with lung cancer and having a mild memory problem that iron and B12 helped him a lot. Especially good quality red meat and salads helped his memory more than anything.

Also look up the side effects of all the medications she is on and see if any of them say they may affect your memory.

I'll say a prayer for you and your wife.
I wish you the best.
PML

Hi, just wanted to comment on someone's comment: they mentioned eating red meat for the iron benefit. My husband's PHP and his Neuro doc both suggested he go on the Mediterranean Diet to help his dementia, which has folks limit meat to once or twice a month, or cut it out entirely. Of course there are other sources of iron besides meat. All the best to you on this journey.

@doclarrea , I get why you might want a diagnosis. When you’re not sure what’s going on it can be concerning. When I got my cousin in, she was only 63 years old. I wanted to rule out things like a brain tumor, vitamin deficiency, etc. Her doctor might be able to check her for those things if they know of the symptoms. It’s my understanding you can send the doctor information. He can check her out at her next visit. Often, people who have dementia are not able to accept it. It’s not crucial though, since eventually that knowledge is forgotten.

I would encourage you get a consult with an elder law attorney to ensure your Wills and Powers of Attorney are duly signed and proper.

I would want her to have a blood test to rule out other causes that mimic dementia. My friend was having memory issues and the blood test revealed that she had a Vitamin B-12 deficiency and not dementia. Doctor treated her for the deficiency and she is fine.
Maybe you could arrange privately with your doctor to have the blood test which would be a start in her diagnosis.