Questions To Ask To Diagnose Dementia

What Are The Different Types Of Dementia

Various disorders and factors contribute to the development of dementia. Neurodegenerative disorders result in a progressive and irreversible loss of neurons and brain functioning. Currently, there are no cures for these diseases.

Types of dementia include:

• Alzheimers disease, the most common dementia diagnosis among older adults. It is caused by changes in the brain, including abnormal buildups of proteins, known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles.
• Frontotemporal dementia, a rare form of dementia that tends to occur in people younger than 60. It is associated with abnormal amounts or forms of the proteins tau and TDP-43.
• Lewy body dementia, a form of dementia caused by abnormal deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein, called Lewy bodies.
• Vascular dementia, a form of dementia caused by conditions that damage blood vessels in the brain or interrupt the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.
• Mixed dementia, a combination of two or more types of dementia. For example, through autopsy studies involving older adults who had dementia, researchers have identified that many people had a combination of brain changes associated with different forms of dementia.

Learn more about how researchers are using neuropathology to address questions and complexities of dementia diseases in Inside the Brain: The Role of Neuropathology in Alzheimers Disease Research.

Back To Top 11 Is Coconut Oil An Effective Alternative To Medication In Alzheimer’s Disease

No long-term study has been completed to-date that confirms the benefits of coconut oil for people with Alzheimers disease. The proposed benefit of coconut oil is based on being a source of ketone bodies, a source of energy for the brain. In Alzheimers disease, the use of glucose by nerve cells has been diminished in affected areas of the brain. The proponents of coconut oil claim the brain can use the ketone bodies as a source of energy in such circumstances. More research is required to establish the benefits, if any, of coconut oil for these diseases.

How Should One Approach Care For A Dementia Patient

Thats a very broad question that really depends on the cause of the dementia, the stage of dementia, and the individual circumstances of the person and his or her family. Not everyone is the same. In Alzheimers disease, once a diagnosis is made, the early care is usually focused on starting medications to address symptoms, plus antidepressants for depression, if necessary. The early care is also focused on helping the family set expectations for the future so they can address any legal and financial planning concerns. Driving safety may also need to be formally evaluated.

As the disease progresses, the care may involve more assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating and dressing. Home care, which has the added benefit of alleviating burden on the spouse and other family members, can be helpful at this stage. We may consider other medications such as memantine , which may be appropriate in the moderate stages of disease, or other psychotropic medications for specific behaviors, such as agitation. In the later stages of the disease, all of the above continues, but the care may also be focused on considering alternative living arrangements, such as assisted living, a memory care unit, nursing home placement, or hospice care. But, with appropriate services in place, many people with Alzheimers disease are able to live at home to the very end.

Recommended Reading: How Long Can You Survive With Dementia

What Is The Mini

The MMSE is a 30-point test used to measure thinking ability . If you had reason to suspect that you may be developing Alzheimers disease or another dementia, the MMSE is a step toward making a diagnosis. The test is also used by researchers who study Alzheimers, in order to know a persons level or stage of dementia. It is the most widely used test for assessing dementia.

The test measures the following: orientation to time and place short-term memory attention and ability to solve problems language comprehension and motor skills

For clarity, following are some sample MMSE questions: What city, state, and country are we in? Name three unrelated objects. Repeat the following: No ifs, ands, or buts. What is this called?

Importantly, the MMSE is not used on its own to diagnose dementia. A score below 24 is considered indicative of dementia, but its not enough alone to say that someone who scored 23 or less has dementia. A neurologist would factor that in with other analyses, like the results of brain scans, a neurological exam, an evaluation of medical history, and possibly genetic testing. In other words, no one should take a low score on the MMSE as proof that they have dementia. Instead, consider it a warning sign that means further testing is necessary.

Compared to the Clock Drawing Test

Compared to the SAGE

Back To Top 24 Are Routines Helpful For People With Dementia

The world is constantly changing for us and we can only imagine how this must feel for a person with dementia. This is complicated by the losses and the new challenges they experience as the disease progresses. Having routines and a structured schedule will help establish a sense of normalcy for the person. Many people find it helpful to have a routine that they stick to as closely as possible.

Also Check: How Long Is Life Expectancy With Vascular Dementia

Questions To Ask When Your Parent Receives A Dementia Diagnosis

By Ron S. 9 am on June 24, 2021

If your senior loved one is diagnosed with dementia, your support can make a huge difference in his or her overall wellbeing. Knowing which questions to ask in the days after the diagnosis can help you get the information you need to navigate this challenging time. Here are some questions you should ask your loved ones doctor as soon as possible.

What Sorts Of Changes And Experiences Should I Expect

Your familys physician can identify several difficulties that typically arise in people living with dementia. For example, the person living with dementia may experience distress or anxiety and depression, especially in the evening, in addition to disorientation. Moreover, your loved one may lose control of body processes and become susceptible to urinary tract infections on a physical level.

Patients with advanced Alzheimers disease may have difficulty eating or swallowing, and alteration in in-depth perception might make them more prone to falls.

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Who Can Diagnose Dementia

Visiting a primary care doctor is often the first step for people who are experiencing changes in thinking, movement, or behavior. However, neurologists doctors who specialize in disorders of the brain and nervous system are often consulted to diagnose dementia. Geriatric psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and geriatricians may also be able to diagnose dementia. Your doctor can help you find a specialist.

If a specialist cannot be found in your community, contact the nearest medical school neurology department for a referral. A medical school hospital also may have a dementia clinic that provides expert evaluation. You can also visit the Alzheimers Disease Research Centers directory to see if there is an NIA-funded center near you. These centers can help with obtaining a diagnosis and medical management of conditions.

Back To Top 1 What Is The Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease And Dementia

Dementia is a general term that describes acquired challenges with memory, thinking, reasoning, judgment and behaviour that have a significant impact on a persons daily life. Alzheimers disease is one particular cause of dementia – and the most common. Find more information about dementia and Alzheimers disease on our website.

Also Check: How Do You Know What Type Of Dementia You Have

What Stage Has Dementia Reached

Its critical to know what your loved one may expect in the time to come if youve received an accurate diagnosis. Is this dementia classified into stages? What stage does a loved ones doctor feel dementia has progressed to? What brought them to these conclusions? Unfortunately, there seems to be no way to foresee how dementia will progress.

You need to know what to expect to figure out your next moves, for example, such as if you are able to provide the amount of assistance they need at home or if you want to explore other possibilties such as long term care, assisted living or memory care. Understanding how serious the dementia is, can help you prepare ahead and anticipate future needs. can help you prepare ahead and anticipate future needs.

You should also ask the diagnosing physician if you need to visit a geriatric specialist for further evaluation or care.

Mental Ability Tests To Diagnose Dementia

People with symptoms of dementia are given tests to check their mental abilities, such as memory or thinking.

These tests are known as cognitive assessments, and may be done initially by a GP.

There are several different tests. A common one used by GPs is the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition .

Although these tests cannot diagnose dementia, they may show there are memory difficulties that need further investigation.

Most tests involve a series of pen-and-paper tests and questions, each of which carries a score.

These tests assess a number of different mental abilities, including:

• short- and long-term memory
• language and communication skills
• awareness of time and place

It’s important to remember that test scores may be influenced by a person’s level of education.

For example, someone who cannot read or write very well may have a lower score, but they may not have dementia.

Similarly, someone with a higher level of education may achieve a higher score, but still have dementia.

Also Check: Can Broken Bones Cause Dementia

Early Symptoms Of Dementia

Although the early signs vary, common early symptoms of dementia include:

• memory problems, particularly remembering recent events
• increasing confusion
• apathy and withdrawal or depression
• loss of ability to do everyday tasks.

Sometimes, people fail to recognise that these symptoms indicate that something is wrong. They may mistakenly assume that such behaviour is a normal part of the ageing process. Symptoms may also develop gradually and go unnoticed for a long time. Also, some people may refuse to act, even when they know something is wrong.

What Can I Expect From The Future

Youll want to find out if your loved ones doctor will manage their care going forward. If not, you need to determine who will be their primary doctor. Youll want to ask the doctor for recommendations regarding how long your loved one can continue to work if they are still employed, the safety of your loved one living in their own home, and how to get support so you can help your loved one continue to live their best life after diagnosis.

For example, the doctor might have a recommendation for a memory care community, which keeps residents with dementia engaged and active in a safe, homelike environment and promotes the highest quality of life by adapting the staff, environment, and daily routine to the needs of each individual.

The doctor might also be able to offer some insights about when its the right time to consider long-term care. For more information, download our eBook When is the Right Time for Memory Care?, a guide for family caregivers on how to know when its the right time to consider moving an elderly parent or loved one to a memory care community.

Read Also: Why Is It Called Lewy Body Dementia

Can Specific Medications Or Supplements Help Are There To Avoid

There are a few medications approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimers disease, but they arent appropriate or helpful for everyone, and each has side effects to consider.

Additionally, various prescription and over-the-counter medications can create problems for people with Alzheimers disease.

• Provide the doctor with a list of every prescription and over-the-counter medication and supplement your loved one takes.

• Ask them to review the medications for recommendations or concerns.

• If the doctor starts a new medication to treat Alzheimers, ask:

• How long should it take to start working?

• How will we know if its working?

• What types of side effects should we expect?

• When would it be appropriate to stop taking it?

What Are The Stages Of Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time. A variety of scales exist to describe the stages of the disease differently.

• Some scales classify stages very broadly, sticking with terms like early, middle, and late-stage.

• Detailed scales break down the disease into as many as seven stages.

• People dont always fit nicely into any one stage and many people fluctuate between stages from day to day.

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During Diagnosis: Five Useful Questions

1. What tests will I need to have?This depends on how clear your symptoms are, but generally most people receive blood tests to rule out other causes of memory problems and at least one Mini Mental State Examination.

2. Will I be sent for a brain scan?Brain scans arent always necessary and are often only used if theres some uncertainty about the diagnosis or if the person whos being diagnosed is particularly young. If youd like to have a brain scan anyway, you can ask for one but you might have to pay privately if your GP doesnt think its necessary.

3. Can I receive counselling before being diagnosed?You should be entitled to counselling on the NHS. This could be very useful if youre struggling to cope with the idea of dementia and arent sure if you want to know or who else you want to tell.

4. How long might it take before I get the results?Again this depends on how straightforward or not the diagnosis process was but as a general rule its usually a few weeks.

5. Will I definitely be told if I have dementia?If you want to know, you should definitely be told. However, some people prefer not to know and that is your right too, so just make sure you tell your doctor or family your wishes in advance.

What Alternative Treatments Could Be Beneficial

Even though theres no cure for most types of dementia, several supportive treatment options may help. The need for nutritional and emotional assistance cannot be overstated. In addition, counseling or psychotherapy can help someone cope with dementia while also reducing despair and anxiety.

Exercise may also help decrease the onset of poor thinking, and occupational therapy can help with addressing quality of life as their disease progresses.

Read Also: Alzheimer’s Disease Facts And Figures 2021

How Does Dementia Affect The Brain

It depends on the cause of dementia. With Alzheimers, it affects the brain by causing neurodegenerationor damage and death to specific brain cells in specific parts of the brainthat then spreads over time. We also see a loss of synapses in the brain that occurs out of proportion to the death of those brain cells. The leading view of Alzheimers is that its related to the formation of amyloid protein in the brain, but that is disputed. There are other changes happening, such as tau protein deposits, called tau tangles. Even if you believe the amyloid protein hypothesis, then you can ask why do the protein buildups occur ? We dont fully know.

Back To Top 20 The Person Is Asking For Someone Who Has Passed Away Should I Tell Them The News Again

Try to understand the reason behind their behaviour. For instance, if they are asking to see a parent who died long ago, they may be feeling afraid, lonely, or sad. Validate the emotion that is expressed. Instead of reminding them that their parent has passed on, you could respond with something like, It seems like you are missing him/her. I am sure he/she is a wonderful person. Tell me more about him/her. Try to redirect the conversation or distract the person to focus on something else.

Read Also: What Is A Memory Test For Dementia

What Is Palliative Care

A palliative care team can provide oversight, support, and guidance to you and your loved one with Alzheimers disease. Its available for patients at any point after a diagnosis, not only at the end of life like hospice care.

• Learn more about Palliative Care and how it can help you and your loved one with Alzheimers

What Type Of Dementia Is It

Some people don’t ask this question because they don’t want to know. And some clinicians use the word “dementia” because the word “Alzheimer’s” scares people more.

As hard as it may be to hear, it can be helpful to know what to expect and to learn as much as possible about the specific type of dementia the healthcare provider believes is causing these symptoms.

Read Also: Why Is It Called Alzheimer’s

What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimers Disease

Dementia is a general term for cognitive challenges severe enough to interfere with daily life. These can include memory loss, trouble with language or words, impaired thinking skills, and difficulty problem-solving. Behavior changes can often occur as well.

• Dementia can be caused by various diseases, including Alzheimers, Huntingtons, or Parkinsons disease.

• It can also result from other conditions, such as brain tumors or strokes.

• Alzheimers disease is the leading cause of dementia in older adults.

• Early signs of Alzheimers can include difficulty with concentration, memory, language, or judgment, as well as withdrawal from social events and changes in mood or behavior.

• Early-onset Alzheimer’s occurs in individuals under the age of 65 sometimes as young as 30 or 40.

• Mild cognitive impairment is sometimes considered one of the early stages of dementia.

• Symptoms are mild enough to not interfere with daily life, but over time, often the disease progresses into Alzheimers.