Dementia Diagnosed at an Early Stage
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care and treatment become easier and more effective if the disease can be diagnosed at an early stage.
Generally, the early symptoms, such as memory loss, personality change, cognition problems, etc., go unnoticed as people mistake them for signs of aging.
It is important not to ignore these early warning signs and seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Why is early diagnosis important?
If dementia is diagnosed at an early stage, it helps with planning and properly preparing for the future. It includes gathering knowledge and understanding of any available treatments.
It also helps in making financial arrangements and other preparations for seeking care at a Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care Facility at a later stage, as the disease progresses.
Symptoms of dementia can be caused by several conditions, many of which are treatable and reversible. So, an early diagnosis can help identify and treat the cause before it worsens.
Also, most of the available treatments for dementia work best if started early on at the onset of the disease. Early intervention can stop further decline.
Who should you consult for a diagnosis of dementia?
The moment you find some behavioral changes in yourself or you’re relative and suspect it could be dementia, then the first person you should consult is your primary care physician
If he/she feels that the symptoms indicate dementia, he/she may refer you to a specialist such as a psychiatrist, neurologist, or neuropsychologist, who will examine you, and if found eligible, refer you for subsidized Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care.
Aged care assessment teams comprising doctors, nurses, and occupational therapists are also available at various hospitals and aged care nursing homes.
They assess the needs of the elderly, approve their eligibility for certain Government funding and packages, and make recommendations on the level of aged care nursing that they require.
Aged care assessment teams help the elderly get the right kind of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care.
The moment you suspect that an aged relative is showing some behavioral or cognitive changes that point towards dementia, you must take them to a professional for a complete evaluation.
Early diagnosis may help better management of the disease.
In case professionals confirm that your aged relative has dementia, you are left with two choices: either you take care of them, or leave them under the care of professionals at a Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care Facility.
