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Early Detection Information for Professionals

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Early Detection: Know sooner, Live Better

We’re glad you’re here! It’s natural to feel nervous or unsure when talking about memory loss. We’re here to help.

The sooner you know and the earlier you act, the more we can do to slow cognitive decline, improve quality of life, and prepare yourself and your loved ones.

If you need help now:

Call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900 for free support and connect with a live person who can provide information, local resources, crisis assistance and emotional support.

Signs & Symptoms

Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Here’s signs or symptoms to look out for vs. normal age-related memory changes.

Healthy Aging Brain

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Challenges in planning or solving problems
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks
  • Confusion with time or place
  • Difficulty understanding vision or space
  • New problems with words in speaking or writing
  • Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them
  • Poor judgment and decision-making
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities
  • Changes in mood and personality

Dementia Warning Sign

  • Sometimes forgets names or appointments, but remembers later.
  • Occasional errors with numbers, like with finances or household bills.
  • Sometimes needs help using new devices
  • Forgetting which day it is but remembering it later.
  • Vision changes related to cataracts.
  • Sometimes forgetting which word to use.
  • Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
  • Occasionally makes a poor decision or mistake.
  • Sometimes feeling uninterested in family or social obligations.
  • Having specific ways of doing things and annoyance at disruption in routine

Get checked. Early detection matters.

There are many types of dementia that cause problems remembering, thinking, or making daily decisions. Dementia symptoms can vary widely from person to person.

Talk to your health care provider to see if your symptoms are related to dementia or a more treatable condition. Early and accurate diagnosis may help slow the progression and alleviate some symptoms.

There is hope, care and support for you on this journey.

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Benefits of Early Detection

Access to treatment: disease modifying treatments, clinical trials.

Lifestyle changes to improve quality of life and slow cognitive decline.

Education and training for caregivers to empower and reduce burnout.

Maximize quality time with loved ones and make memories.

Plan ahead and make your own decisions.

Reduce crises and save costs on care.

It is possible to have a good quality of life with dementia.

Find a Healthcare Provider

Start by visiting your primary care physician, internal medicine or family medicine doctor.

Ask how familiar they are with diagnosing dementia and whether they would refer to a specialist.

Choosing a Doctor

If you don’t have a health care provider, here’s a few agencies that can help you find one:

What to expect at your appointment

Health care providers should do a cognitive screenings during regular annual physical exams. Our brain health is part of our overall physical health.

There is no one test that can determine if someone is living with dementia. Since there could be many different causes for cognitive concerns, the health care provider will assess overall health, review medical history, address any other concerns, perform a physical exam and laboratory tests to help identify health issues that can cause symptoms of dementia.

If other causes are ruled out, the health care provider may pursue additional tests and exams, or make a referral to a specialist like a Neurologist, Geriatrician, Psychiatrist or Psychologist.

Medical Tests for Dementia

Communicating with your Health Care Team

Brain Health

Nearly half of dementia cases could be reduced by addressing potentially modifiable lifestyle risk factors.

It is normal for our brains to change as you age, but not everyone gets dementia when they grow old. Research shows that lifestyle choices can impact our brain health. It is possible to reduce your risk for cognitive decline and dementia.

Join us on this journey to wellness and brain health, one day at a time, one step at a time.

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