DEMENTIA

Early signs:

• Simple forgetfulness
• Losing items
• Problems performing tasks or activities that were previously done without effort
• Difficulty with learning new material
  • One of the earliest signs

Upon progression of disease, these can be observed:

• Behavioral changes
• Difficulty performing basic tasks
  • Such as dressing up or using the bathroom
• Forgetting of personal information
  • Such as address, telephone number, or date of birth
• Difficulty understanding what is happening around oneself
• Forgetting to eat
  • Resulting to pronounced weight loss

Late stages:

• Cannot recognize family members
• Marked problem in communication
• Require help for activities of daily living
• Unable to walk or sit up

DIAGNOSIS

• Physician may do/request:
  • History & Physical Exam
  • In-office screening assessments
  • Blood testing and imaging studies
    • To confirm reversible conditions such as thyroid disease or certain vitamin deficiencies are not present

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

• Treatment options are limited.
• Medications to improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
  • Limited effect
• Physical exercise
• Social participation
• No treatment to reverse Alzheimer’s