Self-Checks/At-Home Testing
Try not to jump to conclusions about the first sign offorgetfulness.
Keep track of symptomsover the course of a few months.
Consider asking a trusted family member or friend for input as well.
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Bring the list of symptoms andany questionsyou can think of to your practitioner.
The onlineSelf-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE)can be downloaded and taken at home.
Any at-home screening test should be followed up with an assessment by a medical professional.
There are many direct-to-consumer tests that are not scientifically validated and may give inaccurate results.
Different kinds of healthcare providers can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.
The practitioner will also likely ask if there are other diagnosed health conditions or any additional symptoms.
The following are often considered when diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.
Mental Status Exams
Amental status examis often used to objectively evaluate cognitive functioning.
Theclock-drawing testis often a part of other screening tests, such as some of the below.
Simply drawing a clock with the numbers and hands set at a specific time can reveal problems with cognition.
It focuses on attention, language, orientation, executive functioning, and memory skills.
Tests may also be given to caregivers and families.
There is a greater risk of dementia, but it is not inevitable.
Cognitive tests are commonly used to measure the degree of cognitive impairment.
Yes, although other tests may help support the diagnosis.
In stages 1 and 2, symptoms may not be seen or may be subtle and easily dismissed.
Some people have been known to live for 20 years or more after their diagnosis.
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