What do you do when a parent is diagnosed with dementia?
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- Work with your loved one’s doctor to rule out treatable physiological causes.
- Ask questions, and do your research.
- Work with your parent to make financial, legal, and medical arrangements in advance.
- Provide for additional support or a possible move.
How do parents get evaluated for dementia?
There is no single test for dementia, and it can be difficult to diagnose the specific type of dementia that a person has. If you want to find out if your parent has dementia or, specifically, Alzheimer’s disease, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your parent’s family care provider.
How do I know if my parent has dementia?
Early signs of dementia in the elderly
- Difficulty remembering or trouble finding words.
- Inability to learn something new.
- Struggling to manage finances.
- Losing track of time.
- Poor judgment and decision making.
- Problems remembering commitments.
- Losing interest in favorite activities.
- Repeating themselves.
Should I tell my mother she has dementia?
Whatever the diagnosis, the person has a right to know. If your mom has been experiencing memory loss or other symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, then most likely she intuitively suspects something is wrong and, therefore, has a right to know the truth and be fully informed of the situation.
What type of dementia is hereditary?
Frontotemporal dementia is hereditary in 40% to 50% of the cases. Mutations in five genes are responsible for familial frontotemporal dementia, with the inheritance of these genes leading to this form of dementia in all cases. This means frontotemporal dementia is genetic.
What should I do if I suspect my parent has dementia?
What Do I Do if I Suspect My Parent Has Dementia? Caregivers who are worried about their aging parents’ cognitive health should ensure they make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will conduct or order a thorough physical and mental health evaluation to make a diagnosis.
How does a doctor diagnose a person with dementia?
How is Dementia Diagnosed? To diagnose dementia, doctors first assess whether a person has an underlying treatable condition such as abnormal thyroid function, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or a vitamin deficiency that may relate to cognitive difficulties. Early detection of symptoms is important, as some causes can be treated.
What did I learn from the early days of my father’s dementia?
My brother, who lived close to my parents during this early stage, says, “The most telling sign of early stage dementia, for me, was Dad’s inability to mingle in groups. My takeaway is recognizing that no matter how hard it is on a child to cope with a parent with dementia, the parent with dementia is coping, too.”
How does dementia affect the memory of an elderly parent?
Serious memory problems such as dementia affect your elderly parent’s ability to carry out everyday life activities such as driving a car shopping, or handling money. Signs of dementia or other serious memory problems may include: Asking the same questions over and over again.
How does a dementia diagnosis help a family?
A 2013 study actually found that dementia caregiver coping strategies were associated with slower dementia progression. Last but not least, a dementia diagnosis often helps a family focus on planning for further declines in decision-making and independence.
Is it easy to take care of parents with dementia?
Caring for senior parents gives adult children peace of mind because they know they are providing loving care and getting to spend more time with their parents as they enter the final chapter of their lives. However, caring for senior parents is not easy, especially when they have dementia and are stubborn.
When do you start to have symptoms of dementia?
Difficulty retaining information read in a book or passage Patients often start to experience mild to moderate anxiety as these symptoms increasingly interfere with day to day life. Patients who may be in this stage of dementia are encouraged to have a clinical interview with a clinician for proper diagnosis.
Why is it important to know the stages of dementia?
Learning about the stages of dementia can help with identifying signs and symptoms early on, as well as assisting sufferers and caretakers in knowing what to expect in further stages. The earlier dementia is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can start. Stage 1 of dementia can also be classified as the normal functioning stage.