Diagnosing Alzheimers in Older People
Diagnosing Alzheimers accurately, especially in older people is very important. Because as we get older
and our memory sometimes starts to fade, very often this is seen as one of the problems of growing old
and just accepted as such by both the person’s family and their doctor.
It is vitally important that a person receives a thorough examination when they are suffering
from difficulties in thinking, remembering, learning or shows changes in their personality. Such
an examination tells doctors several things such as the exact nature of the illness, the possibility of
the condition being reversed or treated, the nature and degree of the illness and the areas which the
person is able to function successfully.
It is essential that doctors establish any other health problems that the person may have and the need
for treatment along with identifying a possible risk that such treatment may make the mental problems worse.
The social and psychological requirements and expected future changes have to be considered in addition
to the available resources for the sick person, their family and their career. Although the method
and procedures may vary between different doctors, a thorough evaluation of the symptoms should include
a medical and neurological examination, consideration of the person’s support system and in order to
maintain as much independence as possible, an assessment of their remaining abilities.
Diagnosing Alzheimers as part of throughout evaluations can begin with the doctor taking a detailed
history from a close relative or friend wherever possible. They will be asked how the person has
changed, what symptoms they have had and information about other medical conditions. The person will
also undergo a physical examination to check for other health problems.
Thyroid studies should be performed evaluate the function of the thyroid gland as problems associated
with the thyroid gland are amongst the more common reversible causes of dementia. Blood tests to
detect conditions such as anaemia, evidence of infections, problems with the functioning of the liver or
the kidneys and diabetes will also be performed.
Should a physical examination fail to reveal the cause of the symptoms, an EEG (electroencephalogram),
may be performed. This involves attaching small wires to the head records the electrical activity in the
brain. This will diagnose any abnormal brain functioning.
CT, MRI, SPECT and PET Scans may also be used in addition to identify any changes in the brain such
as Alzheimer’s disease or strokes.
The Doctor may also request a neurological examination in diagnosing alzheimers to reveal changes in the functioning of the
nerve cells of the spine or brain. This examination can involve the person balancing with their eyes
closed, checking reflexes in ankles and knees.
A mental status examination should also be performed. This involves the person being asked about the
current time, date and place. The person’s ability to concentrate, remember, carry out calculations and
do abstract reasoning will be put to the test. Each of these tests should reveal any problems of function
in the different parts of the brain.
A psychiatric and physiological evaluation is based upon interviews with the person and their family. It
is important that the person’s plan of care is established as early as possible. This evaluation is also
an opportunity for the family to assess their own physical, financial and emotional abilities and is
usually performed with the participation of a social worker or community nurse.**
For searching deeper information about this topic, please feel free to visit
our resources on Diagnosing Alzheimers.
You may also be interested in...
