Diagnosing Dementia

For the person who has Dementia, obtaining an official diagnosis is a critical step in getting the treatment, care, and support they need in order to live a normal, independent, and fulfilling life as they possibly can. In the early stages of Dementia, regardless of the type, (and especially with Alzheimer's disease), it can be very difficult to diagnose.

One of the contributing factors to the difficulty in diagnosing Dementia lies in the fact that many of the conditions that can be observed as a result of Dementia are more commonly attributable to other illnesses. Also, someone in the early stages of Dementia may not show any marked signs or symptoms while carrying out their normal day to day routine. It has been suggested by some studies that people with Dementia often go 3½ to 5½ years without being diagnosed because of this.

Often it is a close friend, family member or work colleague that will notice that something just 'isn't quite right' with how the person is acting and will prompt an investigation into the reasons why. For people with very little social contact, such as the elderly, living alone, with no close relatives, the early symptoms of Dementia may not be identified and this can lead to delays in diagnosis.

It is important to listen to family members or close friends when trying to identify what is wrong with a patient. It is often their input that will trigger the decision to carry out a formal assessment for Dementia and therefore, their attendance at any preliminary examinations should be encouraged.

Early diagnosis of Dementia has been identified as a major contributing factor to the wellbeing of a patient with Dementia, as the appropriate treatment and care plan will be implemented before the patient is incapable of making informed decisions.

Some drugs can delay the onset of further symptoms for a period of time, but they are not widely available and have limited effects after the initial stages of Dementia have been surpassed. If a patient is fortunate enough to have their Dementia diagnosed in the early stages, it will enable them to plan their future and make all necessary arrangements to ensure that they have a comfortable, fulfilling, and happy life despite their diagnosis.