Advance Planning ; Financial and Healthcare
Planning for the future is important , especially when it involves someone living with dementia . The sooner planning starts , the more the person with dementia may be able to participate . Legal planning includes making plans for :
• Health care and long-term care
• Finances and property
• Naming another person to make decisions on behalf of the person with dementia For more information , tips and resources visit alz . org – planning ahead .
3 . Physical and Neurological Exam
The physical and neurological exam should focus on ruling out medical illnesses other than dementia that can cause cognitive decline . It should also identify diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors that are associated with Alzheimer ’ s and vascular dementia , as well as other forms of dementia . 4 . Laboratory Tests
The American Academy of Neurology recommends specific laboratory assessments for the evaluation of dementia . Depending on the outcome , you may be referred to a Geriatrician and / or a Neurologist for additional support and / or testing .
• What is a Geriatrician ? These are physicians who specialize in physical illnesses and disabilities associated with aging and in the care of older people . If the person being assessed has multiple health concerns or is frail or in poor general health , they may be referred to one of these specialists to see whether their symptoms are due to a chronic or treatable illness . It is also possible that both dementia and health problems exist . This type of physician can offer support with both types of care .
• What is a Neurologist ? These are physicians who specialize in diseases of the brain and nervous system . Some neurologists have particular experience in diagnosing dementia . They tend to see younger people and those with less common types of dementia .
Assessments may take place in the home , in an outpatient ’ s department at a hospital , in a day hospital over several weeks or , very occasionally , while the person stays in the hospital as an inpatient . The specialist will carry out their assessment via the following steps :
• Taking a history – As with the General Practitioner ( GP ), the specialist will talk to the person being assessed and those close to them .
• Physical examinations and tests – A physical examination and / or tests will be undertaken , if they have not already been carried out by the GP . In many cases the blood tests will already have been done before referral .
• Tests of mental abilities – The person will have a more detailed assessment of memory and other thinking processes . This assessment consists of a range of pen-and-paper tests and questions . These will test things like memory , orientation , language and visuospatial skills ( ex : copying shapes ). These tests can be very good at helping to determine the type of problem a person may have , particularly in the early stages . The assessment can also be used as a baseline to measure any changes over time , which can help with making a diagnosis . The test is often given by a trained professional such as a mental health nurse or occupational therapist . In more complicated cases the person will be assessed by a clinical psychologist or neuropsychologist ( professionals whose specialty includes the diagnosis of mental health problems ).
( Continued )
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