Dementia Testing Information for Your Elderly Loved One

If you are worried that your elderly loved one will get dementia or that they have dementia, you may want them to get tested. There is a lot of information about there about dementia testing. If you keep reading here today, you will learn about some of the most essential dementia testing information for family caregivers and their elderly loved ones. It is important to know that proper testing can help your elderly loved one to get the care they need.

Assessment

The first thing that needs to be done in order to test your elderly loved one for dementia is a full assessment. The doctors will have you or someone fill out paperwork on behalf of your elderly loved one. If able, your elderly loved one might be able to do it themselves. The assessment will include medication history, psychiatric/medical history, family history, memory and personality changes, and any other relevant information.

Laboratory Examinations and Physical Tests

There could be many health issues that cause the same symptoms as dementia. This is why it is very important for your elderly loved one’s doctor to do laboratory examinations and physical tests. They will check for thyroid issues, infections, vitamin deficiencies, medication side effects, and other health issues that may be causing the symptoms your loved one is having. It might turn out that your elderly loved one doesn’t have dementia. They might have a different treatable health issue instead.

Neuropsychological Exams and Tests

Your elderly loved one’s doctor may have them see a neuropsychologist and/or psychologist, as well. These doctors specialize in measuring cognitive functions. They may do memory screenings on your elderly loved one. There are some pen/paper tests and other tests to assess concentration, long-term memory, short-term memory, attention span, visual-spatial abilities, language skills, and many other cognitive functions.

Brain Imaging Tests

There are several brain imaging tests that might be done on your elderly loved one, too. These tests can check for infarcts, tumors, and levels of degeneration. Some of these tests include CT scans, MRIs, fMRIS, and PET or SPECT scans. The results of these tests will help your elderly loved one’s doctor to figure out what is going on.

Conclusion

These are some of the dementia tests that might need to be done for your elderly loved one. If you suspect that your elderly loved one has dementia, you can have their doctor start ordering tests. If your elderly loved one does have dementia, they might need caregivers to take care of them long-term.

Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-dementia-symptoms-types-and-diagnosis