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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffPeople who have Alzheimer's often don't recognize that they have a problem. In many cases, family members are the ones who notice the symptoms and arrange for a doctor's appointment. Your family physician may refer you to a neurologist or psychologist for further evaluation.
What you can do
Because you may not be aware of all your signs and symptoms, it's a good idea to take a family member or close friend along with you to the doctor's appointment. You may also want to write a list that includes:
- Detailed descriptions of your symptoms
- Information about medical problems you've had in the past
- Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings
- All the medications and dietary supplements you take
- Questions you want to ask the doctor
What to expect from your doctor
In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may also check your neurological health by testing your:
- Reflexes
- Muscle strength
- Muscle tone
- Senses of touch and sight
- Coordination
- Balance
During the appointment, your doctor might also conduct a brief mental status evaluation, which may assess:
- Memory
- Problem-solving abilities
- Attention spans
- Counting skills
- Language usage
- Alzheimer's disease fact sheet. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/adfact.htm. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Shadlen MF, et al. Evaluation of cognitive impairment and dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2008.
- Caselli RJ, et al. The degenerative dementias: Alzheimer's disease. In: Goetz CG, et al. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/109112945-3/0/1488/287.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2008.
- Alzheimer's information: Causes. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/AlzheimersInformation/Causes/. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Shadlen MF, et al. Dementia syndromes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Basics of Alzheimer's disease: What it is and what you can do. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_basicsofalz_low.pdf. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Alzheimer's disease genetics fact sheet. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/geneticsfs.htm. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Shadlen MF, et al. Risk factors for dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Kelley BJ, et al. Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Neurological Clinics. 2007;25:577.
- Late-stage care. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_latestage.pdf. Accessed Nov. 7, 2008.
- Dementia care practice recommendations for assisted living residences and nursing homes. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_DCPRphases1n2.pdf. Accessed Nov. 7, 2008.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Nov. 7, 2008.
- Press D, et al. Cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2008.
- Press D, et al. Treatment of dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2008.
- Press D, et al. Prevention of dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2008.
- Natural medicines in the clinical management of Alzheimer's disease. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
- Alexander M, et al. Patient information: Alzheimer's disease. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~eWpcYl7lC9LRwe. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
- Press D, et al. Future directions in dementia treatments. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2008.
- Smith GE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 19, 2008.
- DeKosky ST, et al. Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;19:2253.
