Yet, with dementia, people seem to shy away from it. Alzheimer's Disease International World Alzheimer report The benefits of early diagnosis and intervention. London: ADI. Alzheimer's Society ' After a diagnosis '. Factsheet London: Alzheimer's Society. Alzheimer's Society ' Getting diagnosed with dementia '.
Watch this video on YouTube telling the story of Christine, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and her daughter Jennifer-Rose. The pair discuss the impact that a delayed diagnosis had on their lives, and how important it was for Christine to stay in work after the diagnosis. Alzheimer's Society: The society's ' Worried about your memory? It aims to raise awareness about dementia and encourage people who are worried about their memory to seek help from their GP.
The campaign comes with a leaflet, translated into 13 languages, giving examples of early signs of dementia and a video promoting the need to recognise early signs and take action. Healthtalkonline website: This website contains stories from 31 carers of people with dementia, some presented in videos, some in audio recordings. The stories cover a wide range of areas, including recognising the early signs of dementia and getting a diagnosis. The stories were recorded as part of research into patient experiences led by experts at the University of Oxford.
The stories cover a wide range of areas, including recognising the early signs of dementia and getting the diagnosis. Others conditions can cause dementia as well, such as mild cognitive impairment MCI , Lewy body disease, and stroke. Sometimes, memory changes are treatable or reversible. These dementia-like symptoms may be related to depression, drug effects, sleep apnea, thyroid issues, and other medical problems.
A GP will ask about your concerns and what you or your family have noticed. They'll also check other aspects of your health and carry out a physical examination. They may also organise some blood tests and ask about any medicines you're taking to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
You'll usually be asked some questions and to carry out some memory, thinking, and pen and paper tasks to check how different areas of your brain are functioning. This can help a GP decide if you need to be referred to a specialist for more assessments. If a GP is unsure about whether you have Alzheimer's disease, they may refer you to a specialist, such as:. The specialist may be based in a memory clinic alongside other professionals who are experts in diagnosing, caring for and advising people with dementia and their families.
There's no simple and reliable test for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, but the staff at the memory clinic will listen to the concerns of both you and your family about your memory or thinking. They'll assess your memory and other areas of mental ability and, if necessary, arrange more tests to rule out other conditions.
A specialist will usually assess your mental abilities, such as memory or thinking, using tests known as cognitive assessments. Some people hide their symptoms, or family members cover for them. That's easy to understand, because Alzheimer's dementia is associated with loss, such as loss of independence, loss of a driving privileges and loss of self. Many people may wonder if there's any point in a diagnosis if there's no cure for the disease.
It's true that if you have Alzheimer's dementia or a related disease, doctors can't offer a cure. But getting an early diagnosis can be beneficial. Knowing what you can do is just as important as knowing what you can't do. If a person has another treatable condition that's causing the cognitive impairment or somehow complicating the impairment, then doctors can start treatments. For those with Alzheimer's dementia, doctors can offer drug and nondrug interventions that may ease the burden of the disease.
Doctors often prescribe drugs that may slow the decline in memory and other cognitive skills. You may also be able to participate in clinical trials. Also, doctors can teach you and your caregivers about strategies to enhance your living environment, establish routines, plan activities and manage changes in skills to minimize the effect of the disease on your everyday life.
Importantly, an early diagnosis also helps you, your family and caregivers plan for the future. You'll have the chance to make informed decisions on a number of issues, such as:. When a doctor tells you and your family members about an Alzheimer's diagnosis, he or she will help you understand Alzheimer's dementia, answer questions and explain what to expect.
Doctors will explain what capacities are preserved and how to limit future disabilities, and look to keep you as healthy and safe as possible with the least disruption in your daily activities. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
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