“Is this Alzheimer’s or dementia?”
“Dementia” is used to describe trouble with thinking and memory. People are not born with dementia. It’s something that develops later in life. Dementia usually has a gradual onset and can get worse over time. There are different kinds of dementia, but most of those who have dementia are diagnosed with Alzheimer's:
- Alzheimer’s is the most common kind of dementia and typically affects older adults. When another explanation for dementia is not found, Alzheimer's is the most appropriate term to use.
- Vascular, Lewy Body, Frontotemporal, and Parkinsonian are some of the other kinds of dementia. The history and symptoms of these kinds can be distinguished from Alzheimer's by your physician. Altogether, ~30% of cases fall into one of these categories
- Reversible represents about 1% of cases. It means that the dementia symptoms are the effects of something reversible, including drug effects, vitamin B12 deficiency, and thyroid disease.
Benefits of early dementia diagnosis
If you’re concerned, schedule an appointment today.
When you request an appointment, ask for a cognitive assessment, and that this assessment be the focus of the visit. This allows the physician enough time to do a thorough evaluation. If the patient is on Medicare, the Annual Wellness Visit includes a cognitive assessment. If the doctor provides a diagnosis using the term “dementia,” ask what type because if your loved one has Alzheimer's, it is important to know this.
Important tip: Keep this appointment focused on the cognitive assessment. If you have a longer list of concerns, it is wise to schedule a separate appointment.
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