I have read here about how Alzheimers is diagnosed, but I'm still not clear on what the next steps should be. Do I return to the Primary Care doctor who gave tests that diagnosed dementia or go straight to a neurologist? Can either of them diagnose Alzheimers on history and other tests or are brain imaging tests required?
How scary are the brain imaging test? I don't think my LO could handle an MRI without being sedated. Are these imaging tests necessary?
My cousin has been on disability for arthritis for about 5 years. Now she has another one with this dementia. She's now in AL and doing well there. She's not as disoriented as she was in her home, since others are caring for her. Her OCD seems to have subsided too.
You say that her primary care physician can be the one to follow up with. I like her regular doctor a lot. She was leaning towards Alzheimers based on the tests she gave her. Maybe I'll just make another appointment with her.
I had my husband tested ,even though I knew what was going on, just to get the paper work required for disability. He suffers from Solvent Dementia.
Her personality right now is pretty much the same as it was for most of her life. She has significant both long term and short term memory loss. The changes came about slowly over years. I saw it, but just didn't realize what is was.
I don't have much experience in the type of physician to handle or recommend the next steps, but others here do and will surely offer suggestions.
I would think twice about the brain imaging tests and/or an MRI. Perhaps you might even want to contact someone at the Alzheimer's Assn. to get their opinion.