The immediate reaction to learning that you or someone you care about has dementia is shock, and it can be challenging to know what questions to ask your doctor right away. Also, you might not fully comprehend the advancement that has already taken place and find it difficult to think of any dementia questions that can provide you with a clear understanding of where you and your family stand in this circumstance. Our community offers superior, individualized care and assistance for adults with dementia or memory loss. Following a diagnosis of dementia, we recommend that you ask your doctor the following questions.
What Led You to This Diagnosis?
A diagnosis of dementia is often sudden and unanticipated. To understand how far the problem has progressed, it’s crucial to ask your doctor how this case was diagnosed. While diagnosing dementia, medical professionals carry out a series of examinations to measure levels of:
- cognitive impairment
- personality and behavior changes
- How cognitive problems impact day-to-day living
- the reason behind the symptoms
You’ll be able to go on to the following steps by first talking with your doctor about how the symptoms have emerged and how they have been affecting you or a loved one.
What Kind of Dementia Has Been Identified?
Dementia is a word used to describe how memory loss, behavioral changes, and other impairments worsen over time. It is not a specific disease.
Although Alzheimer’s disease is a well-known type of dementia, there are other types with distinct causes and symptoms.
Finding the appropriate treatment options will be made easier by having a more comprehensive understanding of the problem and the specific kind of dementia your loved one has.
How Quickly Will This Advance?
You and your family will be able to decide on the following considerations if you are able to comprehend how dementia will develop over time:
- Care Options
- Treatment
- How to Finance the Solution
What Kinds of Assistance Are Available for My Family?
It’s important to make sure your family has access to support options, whether the diagnosis was delivered to you or a close relative.
There are several support groups accessible for both family members and those who are living with dementia. These groups are fantastic places to meet people with similar difficulties, exchange resources and knowledge, and develop a support network.
Is Remaining at Home Still Safe?
Ask your doctor to assess cognitive tests or conduct an observation to help determine whether staying at home is a safe option if symptoms have already advanced to the point where it is unsafe for you or a loved one to age in place in their current home, or if you want to be proactive regarding their care and safety.
If they recommend moving to a memory care community as a potential option, find one that has personalized care, engages in cognitive treatment, and provides meaningful support for dementia patients.
Our community prides itself on employing the Shine Memory Care program curriculum, which has earned a National Certificate of Recognition from the Alzheimer’s Association®, the country’s leading voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care and research. Find out more about how we care for our residents by scheduling a tour of our community today!
