Dementia is a progressive cognitive disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. It impacts an individual’s daily life and functioning. Dementia is an ‘umbrella’ term for many different conditions, with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia being some of the most well-known.
Various health conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of dementia. Because of this, ruling out underlying health issues will be one of the first steps to undertake when seeking a dementia diagnosis.
In this article, we’ll discuss more about the condition, where to seek help if you think your loved one may have dementia and what the process of getting a diagnosis is.
Common signs and symptoms of dementia
Early signs of dementia can be subtle and may develop gradually over time. Many of these symptoms are often mistaken for normal ageing or stress, but if they persist or worsen, they may indicate the onset of dementia. Here are some of the most common early signs that someone may be struggling with dementia:
- memory loss (especially short-term memory)
- difficulty with problem-solving or planning
- confusion with time and place
- challenges completing familiar tasks
- language problems (struggling to find words)
- misplacing objects (putting items in unusual places)
- poor judgement and decision-making
- withdrawal from social or work activities
- mood and personality changes (increased anxiety, irritability, or apathy)
- difficulty with visual and spatial abilities
- struggling to focus and pay attention
- difficulty adapting to change.
The first steps in seeking a dementia diagnosis
It’s important to speak to a GP if you’re concerned that your loved one may be showing signs of dementia. They will need to conduct an initial health analysis to rule out any other conditions that may be causing or exacerbating your loved one’s symptoms. These include:
- mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
- infection
- hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- diabetes
- a vitamin B12 deficiency
- medication side effects
The GP can treat any underlying issues they identify. If your loved one is still showing the symptoms of dementia after this, the GP will be able to refer them for specialist assessments.
Who provides the dementia diagnosis
After the initial appointment with a GP, your loved one will likely be referred to a specialist such as:
- a psychiatrist with experience in dementia or a mental health consultant
- a doctor specialising in elderly care (geriatrician)
- a doctor specialising in the brain and nervous system (neurologist)
It’s one of these specialists who will typically provide a dementia diagnosis.
What to expect from a specialist assessment
Your loved one may be referred to a memory clinic (which specialises in diagnosing and treating memory disorders and conditions), a hospital, or a community setting like a GP practice.
A family member, friend, or individual who knows your loved one well should ideally attend the appointment with them. This is so the specialist can gather details about family and medical history and gain a solid understanding of how your loved one is managing daily tasks.
Tests and assessments
No single test can diagnose dementia, so the specialist you see will use a combination of tests and assessments to inform any diagnosis they provide. These typically include tests to assess your loved one’s attention, memory, verbal fluency and language, visual and spatial abilities , etc.
Brain scans and MRIs
Either a GP or specialist doctor may request a brain scan as part of their assessment of your loved one. Scans alone cannot provide a dementia diagnosis, and not everyone being assessed for dementia will need one. Brain scans may also be used to rule out other conditions that could be causing your loved one’s symptoms (such as tumours or signs of a stroke).
What happens if your loved one receives a dementia diagnosis
Being diagnosed with dementia can be overwhelming for you and your loved one. It’s important to know that the doctor and healthcare team are there to offer support. They will discuss the type of dementia your loved one has or recommend further assessments if this hasn’t been determined yet.
The GP or specialist can discuss how the condition might progress, the treatments available to help manage it, and what support services may be available.
Specialist dementia home care
At Comfort Care At Home, all our care professionals are highly trained in caring for clients with dementia including Alzheimer’s Disease. We provide support for your loved one’s personal and day-to-day domestic needs, as well as being a trusted friend and companion.
Contact us to discuss how we can support your loved one with our at-home dementia care services.