Experts say it is important to seek the advice of your doctor if memory problems are seriously affecting your life. To determine if you or a loved one has Alzheimer's disease, the Mayo Clinic explains, “doctors conduct tests to assess memory impairment and other thinking skills, judge functional abilities, and identify behavior changes. They also perform a series of tests to rule out other possible causes of impairment.”
During your appointment, the Mayo Clinic says expect to be evaluated on:
Tests include neuropsychological tests that are used to access your abstract thinking, problem-solving skills, memory, language usage and other related skills. Your doctor may also schedule braining-imaging tests. While these brain scans are not used to diagnose Alzheimer’s, they can detect other conditions such as hemorrhages, brain tumors or damage from a past stroke. They are also used to establish a baseline in terms of the amount of degeneration seen on the scans. Your doctor may also talk with your family to learn more about the types of changes they have noticed and how they have affected who you are now. All of the information is then used to rule out other conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, strokes, or depression that may be causing your symptoms. It is understandable that people are often afraid to go to a doctor once they suspect Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, many people feel that since there is no cure, what is the point? However, doctors stress once you are diagnosed with the disease, you can start getting the proper treatment as well as consider your care options and plans for the future. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We are dedicated to creating a true home for residents within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see the best assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs. Source:mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20048075 Comments are closed.
|
AuthorMorningStar Senior Living’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Archives
March 2018
Categories
All
|