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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

Most likely, you'll first see your primary care provider if you have concerns about dementia. In some cases, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in specific symptoms, such as a neurologist for brain and nerve disorders. Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance.
  • Write down any symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, being taken.
  • Take a family member, friend or caregiver along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided during an appointment.

Time with the doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help make the most of that time. List questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For dementia, some basic questions to ask the doctor include:

  • What is likely causing symptoms?
  • Are there other possible causes for symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests are necessary?
  • Is the condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What's the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach being suggested?
  • How can dementia and additional health issues best be managed together?
  • Are there any restrictions?
  • Should a specialist be consulted? What will that cost, and will insurance cover it?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine being prescribed?
  • Are there any brochures or other printed material or Web sites to look at?

In addition to these questions, don't hesitate to ask questions about anything you don't understand during the appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
The doctor is likely to ask you and your caregiver a number of questions such as:

  • What are the symptoms, for example, trouble finding words, remembering events, focusing attention, changes in personality, getting lost?
  • When did symptoms begin?
  • Have symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen symptoms?
  • Is there a family history of dementia or related conditions such as Huntington's or Parkinson's disease?
  • Are there any activities that have had to stop because of difficulty thinking through them?
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Chertkow H. Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: Introduction. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008;178:316.
  2. Feldman HH, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 2. Dementia. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008;178:825.
  3. Dementia: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm#1318919213. Accessed Jan. 3, 2009.
  4. National Institute on Aging. Frontotemporal dementia: Growing interest in a rare dementia. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/FTDreprint.htm. Accessed Jan. 11, 2009.
  5. Ersek M, et al. Tube feeding decisions for people with advanced dementia. The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging. http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/pef/tube_feeding.php. Accessed Jan. 24, 2009.
  6. Dementia Guidelines for Early Detection, Diagnosis and Management of Dementia. New York, N.Y.: The American Geriatrics Society. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/products/positionpapers/aan_dementiaPF.shtml. Accessed Jan. 24, 2009.
  7. Farlow M. Moderate to severe Alzheimer disease — definition and clinical relevance. Neurology. 2005;65(suppl):S1.
  8. Hsiung G-YR, et al. Genetics and dementia: Risk factors, diagnosis, and management. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2007;3:418.
  9. Patterson C, et al. General risk factors for dementia: A systematic evidence review. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2007;3:341.
  10. Fuhrer R, et al. Exploring sex differences in the relationship between depressive symptoms and dementia incidence: Prospective results from the PAQUID study. Journal of the American Geriatric Society. 2003;51:1055.
  11. Wang H-X, et al. Late-life engagement in social and leisure activities is associated with a decreased risk of dementia: A longitudinal study from the Kungsholmen project. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2002:155:1081.
  12. Barberger-Gateau P. Diet and risk of dementia or cognitive decline. Alzheimers & Dementia. 2008;4(suppl):T181.
  13. Xu W-L, et al. Mid- and late-life diabetes in relation to the risk of dementia: A population-based twin study. Alzheimers & Dementia. 2008;4(suppl):T119.
  14. Biessels GJ, et al. Risk of dementia in diabetes mellitus: A systemic review. The Lancet Neurology. 2006;5:64.
  15. Kramer A, et al. Inflammation and Alzheimer's disease: Possible role of periodontal disease. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2008;4;242.
  16. Tyas SL, et al. Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease: A population-based, longitudinal study in Manitoba, Canada. International Journal of Epidemiology. 2001;30:590.
  17. Hogan DB, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 4. Approach to management of mild to moderate dementia. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008;179:787.
  18. Hogan DB, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 5. Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy for mild to moderate dementia. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008;179:1019.
  19. Dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_dementia.asp. Accessed Feb. 8, 2009.
  20. Steps to diagnosis. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_steps_to_diagnosis.asp#physexam. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  21. Haan MN, et al. Homocysteine, B vitamins, and the incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment: Results from the Sacramento area Latino study on aging. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;85:511. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/85/2/511. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  22. Alternative treatments. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alternative_treatments.asp#Coenzyme_Q10. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.

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April 17, 2009

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