Preliminary tests for dementia can be done by a primary care physician. A very simple cognitive screen that takes only a minute or two can reveal the possibility of dementia symptoms. If that's the case, the dr can run additional tests to try to eliminate any treatable conditions. If all of those tests are negative, the PCP should refer the person to a neurologist for further tests, or may do the referral without doing additional tests to let the neurologist do further testing. A PCP is not trained to find the causes of dementia. Because dementia refers only to symptoms and is not a true diagnosis, a neurologist or neuropsychologist can determine the cause of the symptoms.
I have read that some are able to hide they signs and symptoms of dementia for sometimes up to 10 years. I have said that dementia is like one of those pictures that are made from hundreds of other pictures and when you look closely you see all the little things that you and other people brushed off as inconsequential. There are tests that can help determine different types of dementia. For some proper diagnosis is important. You can read about dementia and the declines that are expected but each person is different and the “stages” are a guideline. Some are able to do some things far longer than you would expect, other things that they should be able to do can’t be done.
I'm trying to figure this out with and for my mom. She knows her memory stinks and that's she's confused. We've ruled out some deficiencies (vitamin b12, thyroid issues), changed some meds that contribute to cognitive issues (no improvement) and now waiting for a sleep study since a nurse said she thought she may have sleep apnea (sleep deprivation could be at least part of her confusion and tiredness).
My mom can't make plans. Or decisions. Or remember what we just talked about (except sometimes she does). And on and on.
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/ten-warning-signs.html
Preliminary tests for dementia can be done by a primary care physician. A very simple cognitive screen that takes only a minute or two can reveal the possibility of dementia symptoms. If that's the case, the dr can run additional tests to try to eliminate any treatable conditions. If all of those tests are negative, the PCP should refer the person to a neurologist for further tests, or may do the referral without doing additional tests to let the neurologist do further testing. A PCP is not trained to find the causes of dementia. Because dementia refers only to symptoms and is not a true diagnosis, a neurologist or neuropsychologist can determine the cause of the symptoms.
I have said that dementia is like one of those pictures that are made from hundreds of other pictures and when you look closely you see all the little things that you and other people brushed off as inconsequential.
There are tests that can help determine different types of dementia. For some proper diagnosis is important.
You can read about dementia and the declines that are expected but each person is different and the “stages” are a guideline. Some are able to do some things far longer than you would expect, other things that they should be able to do can’t be done.
My mom can't make plans. Or decisions. Or remember what we just talked about (except sometimes she does). And on and on.
My dad was diagnosed with a brain scan that showed tremendous brain shrinkage.
He was highly intelligent and able to hide a lot of his mental deficits from people that didn't know him.
Executive functions seem to be the 1st things that start suffering.