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Tests for Alzheimer's

There is no single test for dementia. In most circumstances the results from multiple tests are used to form a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. If your doctor is concerned that you may be suffering with dementia they will look at your medical history and run blood tests to rule out any other diseases which may be causing your symptoms. You will be asked to take part in cognitive tests which means that your memory, problem solving, attention and language skills are evaluated to determine if your mental functioning has deteriorated below a normal level. There are also brain imaging scans like computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET) which may help form a diagnosis.

Dementia tests

Based on the results of these dementia tests your doctor will define dementia by a particular stage, this refers to how far the dementia has progressed and the level of deterioration the dementia has caused. Dementia stages are often categorised simply as ‘early’, ‘middle’ or ‘late’ depending on the level of symptoms a person is displaying. However, there is also a Global Deterioration Scale used by medical professionals which divides the dementia into seven stages based on the level of mental decline, where 0 is no decline and 7 is very severe decline.

Dementia care

There are many ways to provide care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease. It is not simply a choice of caring for them at home or placing them in a care home, there are many choices in between as well as resources provided by the NHS. Loved ones who care for people suffering with dementia at home can receive visits from healthcare professionals and social workers to give them physical and emotional support. There are also day centres available for dementia patients providing a safe environment for them to socialise as well as giving their loved ones a break. Choosing the right dementia care can be an emotional and challenging decision. This is why getting a dementia diagnosis early is important as it allows for the person with dementia to plan for their own future.

If you have concerns about memory problems visit www.aboutmemoryproblems.com