Whats Causing the Dementia?
It should not be assumed because an individual is 78 or 85 years old and having difficulty remembering, that the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s disease. It is recommended that a person exhibiting some signs of dementia complete a thorough assessment, including a medical and psychiatric history, physical exam, neurological exam, mental status tests and caregiver interview. The summary of these exams will rule out all possibilities of conditions which might be treatable. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be made with more than 90 percent accuracy. Complete assessments can be arranged at a variety of assessment centers throughout Pennsylvania. Call the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900 for a listing of assessment centers in your region. Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease • Memory Loss: forgetting recently learned information. • Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks: difficulty planning or completing everyday tasks. • Problems with Language: forgetting simple words or substitut
