Rarely Asked Questions About Alzheimers Disease
Even though the disease has no direct cure, people with Alzheimer can easily manage symptoms at home.
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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.
Back To Top 19 How Should I Respond To Repetitive Questions
A person living with dementia is experiencing changes within their brain that create difficulties with short-term memory. They simply cant recall the answer you just provided. Try to understand the reason behind their questions. Could they have any unmet needs, fear, loneliness or frustration? Acknowledge and validate the emotion and then respond to the emotion. You can also try gentle distraction or redirection to a favourite activity or object. We have a workshop to help with this.
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Evaluating Cognitive Impairment And Dementia
Screening includes office-based assessments of cognitive function, as well as laboratory testing and neuroimaging. All patients suspected of having dementia should have a physical examination, including a screening neurological examination and review of medications, as a part of the evaluation.
Quick Cognitive Screening Tests
Mini-Mental State Examination
The Mini-Mental State Examination is an 11-item test that takes five to 10 minutes to administer .
- Scoring: suggested cut-off of 24 or less out of 30 should raise concerns about possible dementia.
- Performance affected by age and education
- Test items that are most sensitive to detection: orientation to date , delayed word recall and intersecting pentagons
- Pros: familiar and takes a relatively short time to administer
- Cons: takes longer than other similar tests tests a limited number of cognitive domains often not sensitive to early cognitive change
Mini-Cog
The Mini-Cog is a first-line cognitive screen for primary care, although it has not been evaluated as extensively as the MMSE or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The Mini-Cog combines the delayed three-word recall test and the clock-drawing test .
Delayed three-word recall test
Clock-drawing test
This test involves one item, and takes one to two minutes to administer.
A New Dementia Test Raises More Questions Than Answers
A dementia diagnosis usually starts with a family member noticing that something isnt quite right: a partner becoming forgetful, a normally placid parent losing their temper more often. From there, there are doctors appointmentsmemory and behavior tests that havent changed in years, brain scans if the money is there, or one of the battery of new blood tests looking for the biomarkers of brain damage. And then: nothing.
Neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimers are more feared than cancer and heart disease combined, according to a 2016 survey, and one of the most frightening things about them is how little we still know. There are no cures, and few effective treatments.
An early diagnosis could help people plan ahead and put their affairs in orderbut arguably thats something they should probably be doing anyway. Lifestyle tweaks such as eating less fat, exercising more, or drinking less can also reduce risk, particularly in vascular dementia, which is caused by poor blood supply to the brain and is therefore closely linked to heart health.
At the end of the test, participants hand the iPad back to their doctor or nurse, who taps in a passcode to gain access to the patients risk score from 1 to 100, with anything over 50 indicating an elevated risk of dementia. Its up to the medical professional how they choose to present that information.
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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.
Purpose Of Alzheimers Test
With the Alzheimers disease, earlier the treatment the earlier the condition can be controlled before it gets severe. Studies show that many people usually delay for about 3-4 years on the onset of the Alzheimers symptoms before visiting a doctor.
Despite the Alzheimers disease being among the weightiest health challenges in the 21st century and the intense research done, there is no sure cure for Alzheimers disease. Any early test can help catch and also treat early Alzheimer symptoms.
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How Can I Prevent Or Delay The Onset Of Dementia
We recommend risk reduction strategies to help maintain the health of your brain.
Our recommendations include:
- Keep active physically, mentally and socially.
- Stimulate the brain through a variety of challenging activities like doing puzzles, learning a new skill, activity or language.
- Stick to a Mediterranean or heart-healthy diet. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, high-fibre foods, fish and omega-3 rich oils. Reduce consumption of red meat and dairy.
- Wear head protection when participating in sports.
- Monitor your health and control risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.
- Identify and treat depression.
- Reduce your stress, as it can be harmful to the brain causing shrinkage of the hippocampus .
Read more on our page about risk reduction
*this Test Is Based On Real Questions But Is Not Diagnostic In Any Way
You passed!
You passed!
Congratulations! You passed the dementia test! This means that your cognitive and memory skills are as sharp as ever! Your memory retention skills are off the charts and your focus is infrangible! You don’t get easily confused and think in a logical, rational and coherent manner, which makes you excellent at recalling the right answer, and when in doubt, provides you with the skills to make reasonable educated guesses. You absorb information effortlessly and sometimes subliminally, which means that your brain contains more hidden information that you might think!Learn more about dementia here: http://plbz.it/2dY4bLT
You failed…
You failed…
Based on your answers, we found that your brain is quite scattered. You tend to be quite impatient and prefer to take your chances and guess instead of taking a moment to try and remember the answer. You’re quite creative and often let your mind wonder. You prefer to contemplate than take in specific information. You’re not a big fan of standardized testing as you don’t much enjoy memorizing information that you find is irrelevant to your life. Learn more about dementia here: http://plbz.it/2dY4bLT
*This test is based on real questions, but IS NOT diagnostic in any way.
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Back To Top 10 Are There Any Alternative Medications/supplements To Treat Or Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
At this time, no alternative medications or supplements have been shown to be extremely effective in treating, slowing the progress of, or preventing Alzheimers disease. There are some concerns regarding the use of alternate medications, such as unknown ingredients, unknown effectiveness, safety and side effects due to interaction with prescribed medications.
Who Should Be Evaluated For Cognitive Impairment
There are several reasons why a doctor may suggest a cognitive test. These may include the following reasons.
- Patients have memory concerns and have other symptoms of cognitive impairments.
- May also include changes in personality, depressions, balance issues, falling more often.
Part of an Annual Wellness visit.
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Back To Top 7 How Is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed
There is no single test available to diagnose Alzheimers disease. Diagnosis usually happens as a result of a combination of things, such as reviewing a persons medical history, physical exams, lab tests, imaging procedures and cognitive assessments.
At least two of the following core mental functions memory communication and language ability to focus and pay attention reasoning and judgment and visual perception must be significantly impaired to be considered for a potential dementia diagnosis.
Following a thorough physical exam, the person is sent for blood tests, CT and MRI scans to rule out other conditions.The family physician may refer the person to a specialist such as a neurologist, geriatrician, psychiatrist or geriatric psychiatrist. The person will often undergo cognitive assessments including tests to assess memory, recall, orientation and thinking. A diagnosis of probable Alzheimers disease is made after excluding all other potential causes.
When a diagnosis of probable Alzheimers disease is given, the physician is typically 85 90 per cent certain of the diagnosis.
The plaques and tangles in the brain that are the physical features of Alzheimers disease can only be seen in a biopsy of the brain at autopsy. For this reason, a physician can only make a diagnosis of probable Alzheimers disease.
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.
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If You Are Diagnosed With Dementia
Obtaining an early and accurate diagnosis can improve the quality of life for people with dementia.
Talk to your doctor about treatment and ongoing assessment.
Support and information is available through the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Thanks to Associate Professor David Ames for reviewing this material.
Back To Top 17 Is It Important To Disclose The Diagnosis To The Person Who Has Dementia
We advocate for person-centred care and the Best Friends Approach, which outlines that every person has a right to be informed of their diagnosis.
How this information is delivered will depend on the individual needs of the person and their situation. If the person is anxious for an explanation of their symptoms, they may find some relief in diagnosis and it may be fine to inform them. If the person is likely to be very upset, you could suggest that the physician conveys the news to them gradually. Contact us or your physician to discuss in further detail.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Alzheimers Disease
How Is Dementia Diagnosed
To diagnose dementia, doctors first assess whether a person has an underlying, potentially treatable, condition that may relate to cognitive difficulties. A physical exam to measure blood pressure and other vital signs, as well as laboratory tests of blood and other fluids to check levels of various chemicals, hormones, and vitamins, can help uncover or rule out possible causes of symptoms.
A review of a persons medical and family history can provide important clues about risk for dementia. Typical questions might include asking about whether dementia runs in the family, how and when symptoms began, changes in behavior and personality, and if the person is taking certain medications that might cause or worsen symptoms.
The following procedures also may be used to diagnose dementia:
Early detection of symptoms is important, as some causes can be treated. However, in many cases, the cause of dementia is unknown and cannot be treated. Still, obtaining an early diagnosis can help with managing the condition and planning ahead.
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If You Have A Cognitive Impairment Does This Mean You Have Dementia
There are actually many causes of cognitive impairment, so just because you have a mild or severe cognitive impairment, it does not mean that you have Dementia. Alzheimers Disease is the most common type of Dementia that affects the cognitive parts of the brain. It could be a side effect of a medication you are on, depression, or Dementia.
What Do The Results Mean From My Cognitive Testing
If your results come back normal, then no further testing is needed.
If your tests come back abnormal, you have some cognitive impairment. This test will not diagnose the cause of the impairment. It just helps your healthcare provider understand that an impairment is present.
At this point, your doctor may suggest further testing or a referral to a specialist.
Some cognitive impairments are treatable because treatable medical conditions cause them. These include:
- Thyroid disease
- Side effects of current medications
- Vitamin Deficiencies
Other cognitive impairments such as Dementia are not treatable. But with early detection and a good treatment plan may help slow the cognitive decline. A diagnosis of your symptoms may also help patients and family members cope and plan for the future.
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If You Or Someone Else Suspects Early Signs Of Memory Loss Here’s How You Can Find Out If There’s A Problem
There’s no cure for dementia, and you cannot substantially reverse its effects, but there are ways to possibly slow its progression. But first, you need to know if you or a loved one may have a memory disorder. “Unfortunately, there is not one single test that confirms dementia while you are alive,” says Dr. Julie Brody Magid, clinical director of the Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital Memory Disorders Assessment Clinic. “The testing process is multilayered and takes many things into consideration. Going through this evaluation may help identify memory problems before they get worse.”
Preparing For A Doctor’s Visit
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