Common Indicators, symptoms and assessment of Dementia

Here are some common indicators, early warning signs and symptoms of dementia:

Hence, it's always recommended to speak with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. We all experience occasional lapses of memory, changes in mood and ‘off days’, when we do not perform at our best, but experiencing a cluster of these signs over a period of time should raise alarm. Some of these signs may be the result of other conditions or health issues, such as stress and anxiety, psychological factors or mental illness, so potential causes of symptoms should be investigated before a diagnosis of dementia is made.

As dementia is variable and can result from many different conditions, it must be diagnosed accurately by medical professionals. Only a doctor can diagnose dementia. The first step is usually a visit to the person’s general practitioner (GP), who may carry out some tests and assessments and/or refer the person to a specialist. There are several types of assessment used to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of dementia.

The diagnosis of dementia involves a comprehensive evaluation of a person's cognitive abilities, medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and brain imaging.

Here are some common steps involved in the diagnosis of dementia:

• Medical history: The healthcare professional will take a detailed medical history of the person, including information about their symptoms, family history, medications, and other medical conditions.
• Physical examination: A physical examination will be performed to assess overall health, including neurological examination to evaluate cognitive function, balance, coordination, and reflexes.
• Cognitive assessment: A cognitive assessment will be performed to evaluate memory, attention, language, and other cognitive functions. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a commonly used test for assessing cognitive function.
• Laboratory tests: Blood tests may be done to evaluate for underlying medical conditions that may cause cognitive impairment. Additional laboratory tests, such as genetic testing and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, may be done if there is suspicion for certain types of dementia.
• Brain imaging: Brain imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans, may be performed to look for changes in the brain that are associated with dementia.
• Referral to specialists: In some cases, the healthcare professional may refer the person to a specialist, such as a neurologist, geriatrician, or psychiatrist, for further evaluation and treatment.

It's important to note that dementia can have many different causes, and diagnosis can be complex. The above information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of dementia, it is important to speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

There are several common risk factors that have been associated with an increased likelihood of developing dementia, including:

1. Age: The risk of developing dementia increases with age, with most cases occurring in people over the age of 65.
2. Family history: Having a family history of dementia may increase your risk of developing the condition.
3. Genetics: Certain genes have been associated with an increased risk of developing some types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease.
4. Lifestyle factors: Several lifestyle factors have been linked to an increased risk of dementia, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, and a diet high in saturated and trans fats.
5. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, have been associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.
6. Traumatic brain injury: A history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia later in life.
7. Social isolation: Social isolation and a lack of social engagement have been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia.

Watch the following videos to learn more about diagnosing dementia:

How to Get a Diagnosis of Dementia’ by AlzheimersResearch UK

‘Dementia Screening Test’ by ByteBack Creative

The following example demonstrates the manifestation of dementia symptoms and how friends and family might handle the delicate situation of having a loved one showing signs of dementia.

Read the case study and answer the question below:

Mrs Covey is a widow in her early seventies. She migrated to Australia from England with her brother and parents when she was 19. Her parents both developed dementia and died in their eighties. Her brother is still living in Australia. He took early retirement and has become increasingly forgetful over the past few years. Mrs Covey has four adult children and three grandchildren. Her husband died 15 years ago, and she has lived alone since her youngest son left home 10 years ago.

After raising her children, Mrs Covey returned to university and attained a doctorate. She enjoyed debating the issues of the day and has always been an avid reader. Mrs Covey worked as a laboratory assistant until retiring at the age of 60. After retiring, she became active in several environmental groups and took up gardening and craft making, maintaining these interests for several years. She has been a heavy smoker and drinker since she was 16, and still enjoys several glasses of wine each evening. She has a small circle of close friends whom she sees regularly. Over the past 18 months, her friends have noticed a change in Mrs Covey. She has stopped attending her craft groups and environmental groups and has become reluctant to participate in social outings, although she still goes for lunch and morning tea with her friends at their homes. She also still drives her car but will only drive to familiar places close to her home. She refuses to use public transport and has become fearful of driving through tunnels and going to unfamiliar places.

Mrs Covey complains constantly about her poor memory and sometimes struggles to recall the names of her children and grandchildren. She often changes the subject when she cannot find the right word to explain something and frequently repeats phrases such as ‘My brain doesn’t work’ and ‘I’m past my use-by date’. She talks a lot about her childhood in England and frequently says that she ‘shouldn’t be here’ and wishes she had never come to Australia. She often appears depressed and apathetic. She complains of poor eyesight and appears to be losing her hearing but refuses to have her eyesight or hearing tested. She has always been reluctant to visit the doctor and has not seen a doctor or dentist for the past 10 years. Her appetite has decreased, and she has lost weight. She is no longer physically active and has let her garden become very neglected and overgrown.

Mrs Covey often becomes confused about what day it is and, on several occasions, has become agitated after drawing money out of her bank account, declaring that the bank has given her too much money and she is afraid they will ‘come looking for her’.

Mrs Covey’s friends finally approached her eldest daughter to express their concerns and found that her daughter was also concerned. Together, they persuaded Mrs Covey to visit her local GP, accompanied by her daughter. After conducting some tests and examinations, the GP diagnosed Mrs Covey with early-stage vascular dementia and prescribed medication to reduce her blood pressure. He also referred her for hearing and eyesight.

Answer the questions below:

1. What risk factors can you identify in the scenario?
2. What early signs of dementia can you identify in the scenario? List at least three.
3. What lifestyle changes could Mrs Covey make to improve her general health and wellbeing? List at least two examples.