Is this dementia or not?

You may notice your loved one's behavior changing.

You know something is not right, but what is it?

FAMILY CARE

IS THIS DEMENTIA...

OR NOT?

• Educating yourself
• Seek out the right medical professionals
• Keep track of the symptoms
• Join the Silver Tsunami Aging Info Community for added help and resources

How do you tell if it is part of the typical aging process, a physical illness, or dementia?

It is not always a direct path to a dementia diagnosis. The terms thrown around and systems in place can be confusing, misused and overwhelming. You are not alone, there is help and support to getting an answer.

HELP YOURSELF, AND YOUR LOVED ONE, UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING

• Educating yourself on the term dementia and the different types can help you understand

and advocate. Dementia is not a specific disease. It is an umbrella term for conditions that impair at least two brain functions that interfere with everyday life, and include diseases such as Alzheimer's, Front Temporal Dementia and Parkinsons. Each one having its own set of

behaviors, possible treatments and specialists.

Please refer to this link to Alzheirmer.org and others in our resource library for more information.

• Seeking out the right medical professionals to determine a correct diagnosis and knowing

what to ask can save you a lot of time and frustration. A primary care physician is not always

qualified to make that determination. If they do, there is still specific information to each

dementia diagnosis that can help with treatment and care. A physician that specializes in

geriatrics or a neurologist should be your first visit when suspecting dementia.

Please review the list of the most frequently asked questions we get and those that you want to ensure you ask your doctor.

• Tracking the symptoms can bring some clarity and aid your medical team in determining the

correct diagnosis. Also ruling out other less common possibilities like brain tumors, epilepsy,

etc. Keeping a simple record of sleep habits, eating habits, personality changes, tasks that

are becoming difficult, changes to routine, etc. will be beneficial for not only the medical

professionals but for yourself and anyone helping to care for your loved one. (Link to daily log

in resource library - needed)

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