Dementia Evaluation
Do You Suspect That You Or A Family Member May Be Experiencing The Early Signs Of Dementia?
Are you experiencing memory loss and you’re worried that it may be the early signs of dementia? Or maybe you’re concerned about a family member’s memory loss and think a screening test for dementia would be prudent? Rather than ignore what’s happening, are you ready to find the answers to your memory troubles?
Perhaps you find yourself forgetting what you were doing or unable to remember new information as easily as events from your past. You may fear that your memory loss is a sign of something more serious than a symptom of normal aging, especially if there is a history of dementia in your family. You may worry that if it grows worse, your memory loss and confusion will change you in profound ways, impacting your ability to work, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Approaching A Family Member Can Be Difficult
If you’ve noticed a family member has been struggling with memory issues, you may meet resistance when suggesting they get an evaluation test for dementia. If they’re in denial about what’s going on and aren’t ready to face the truth, you may have to be persistent with your request that they undergo an evaluation. After all, you want to ensure their safety and help them get the medical and emotional support they need.
If you are the person responsible for your loved one’s long-term care, you need to determine if they are in the beginning stages of dementia. The sooner you have an accurate diagnosis and assessment, the sooner you can formulate a treatment plan and have an idea of what to expect.
Fortunately, with early detection, the progression of dementia can sometimes be slowed down through medications. And a neuropsych evaluation may sometimes rule out dementia and determine whether or not your memory loss is associated with another medical condition. No matter what the outcome is, we are confident that we can give you the answers you’ve been looking for.
Dementia Is A Worldwide Problem With Far-Reaching Consequences
According to the World Health Organization, “Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death among all diseases and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally.” What’s more, “Dementia has physical, psychological, social, and economic impacts, not only for people living with dementia but also for their careers, families, and society at large.”
Although some forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, it’s often difficult for us to determine at what point memory loss should be cause for concern. So how do we discern between dementia and the normal forgetfulness that comes with age?
As we age, we tire more easily—when we try to do as much as we’ve always done, we may end up exhausting ourselves which, in turn, can lead to memory loss. If all is normal, our memory should go back to normal once we get proper sleep and rest. However, if rest doesn’t resolve the issue, we may be experiencing something more serious.
There Are Various Forms Of Dementia
Although the term Alzheimer’s Disease has become synonymous with dementia, it is only one type of dementia. Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can only be determined by a physician who can test for genetic markers, whereas an evaluation will cast a wider net to determine a diagnosis for generalized dementia.
As caretakers of our family members, we need to know the facts. We need to know whether or not the memory loss our loved one is experiencing is dementia. Unfortunately, being diagnosed with dementia makes life more complicated and possibly dangerous for our loved ones. If they forget to turn off the stove or lose their way when driving, we need to intervene.
The good news is that you can obtain a dementia evaluation that will determine the extent of memory loss you or a family member is experiencing. This will help you put a treatment plan in place sooner rather than later.
A Dementia Evaluation Provides The Answers And Guidance You Need
If you are worried that either you or a family member are experiencing memory loss that goes beyond what’s common with aging, an assessment for dementia can put your mind at ease. An evaluation can provide you with a baseline assessment to use for years to come. It can also help you identify medications that may help slow dementia’s progress.
We understand that this is a scary time for your family. Emotions may be running high. We aim to make the evaluation process personable and easy to navigate, providing you with an actionable treatment plan as well as realistic expectations of what to expect down the road. The dementia evaluation you receive will allow you to make decisions early on about what you want your future to look like.
An Overview Of The Process
After contacting us, you will be provided with paperwork to complete and bring with you to your first appointment. The evaluations are usually 2 hours long and completing the report will take about 2-to-4 weeks. At the end of the process, you will receive a 15-to-25-page report that provides resources, accommodations, and referrals that we will review in detail at the final appointment.
The standard neuropsychological testing for dementia will assess general intelligence, attention and concentration, learning and memory, reasoning and problem solving, language and visual-spatial skills, motor and sensory skills, and mood and behavior. Aside from diagnosing dementia, neuropsychological testing can also be helpful if you’re wondering if you have a psychiatric disorder or a learning disability, which can also be responsible for memory loss.
A cognitive test for dementia will also provide a baseline to track the progression of the disease as well as document the effects of medications or behavioral interventions. Additionally, the results of testing can determine day-to-day activities that you or your family member may need assistance with. This can help identify intervention strategies that can make up for any cognitive deficits and maximize independence for as long as possible.
Once we review the results of your dementia evaluation, we will provide you with an explanation for any changes we detect in the brain and can refer you to a neurologist if needed. We highly recommend that you bring other family members with you to hear the results. Doing so will help them understand the caregiving landscape so that they can begin putting the necessary resources in place.
Having an accurate diagnosis gives you and your family members adequate time to adjust and come to terms with the diagnosis. Caregivers need a clear plan and time to build a strong support team; otherwise, they’ll be worried that all of the burden will fall on them. Being informed early on will help them feel empowered and avoid feelings of depression or anxiety.
The neuropsychological testing we offer can help detect, diagnose, and manage dementia syndromes. By obtaining an accurate profile, you can differentiate normal aging from something more serious and have time to implement a successful treatment plan.
But You May Wonder Whether A Dementia Evaluation Is Right For You …
Isn’t getting a neuropsych evaluation for dementia expensive?
While it’s true that neuropsychological testing for dementia—such as Alzheimer's disease—can be expensive, the information an assessment will glean is vital. It can help you map out a comprehensive treatment plan. In some instances, health insurance covers a portion of the cost, so determining whether you may be eligible for some reimbursement is recommended.
What’s the point of neuropsychological testing for Alzheimer's disease or dementia if there’s no cure?
Although you may think that getting a diagnosis for your memory loss has no benefit, you would be wrong. Getting an early diagnosis offers you the opportunity to identify medications and treatment that could slow down your condition. It will also establish an important baseline to determine at what rate memory loss is occurring so you can make plans for care sooner rather than later.
I’m afraid of the results I’ll get from a dementia evaluation test.
Although it’s scary to acknowledge the fact that something may be wrong, it’s always better to work from a place of truth where all the facts of the situation are known. This way, you understand all the options available to you. It’s also important not to assume the worst—receiving an evaluation could potentially rule out dementia and identify another treatable condition that may be exacerbating your memory loss, such as a learning disorder, brain injury, or psychiatric disorder.
With An Early Dementia Diagnosis, You Can Get A Plan In Place
Catching dementia early on can help you identify the treatment you need to slow down the process of your condition. If you would like to find out more about receiving a dementia evaluation for yourself or a loved one, please contact us today.
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