How do I Diagnose a Spouse With Dementia?

Some degree of memory loss is normal and natural as we age. But when impairment of intellectual functioning becomes severe enough to affect daily life, the medical term for it is dementia. In people aged 65 or older, the most common causes, accounting for about 75 percent of cases, are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia (caused by a narrowing or blockage of arteries carrying blood to the brain, or strokes) or a combination of both. If your spouse shows signs of dementia, seek diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible because early medical intervention can slow the progression of the disease causing it.

Instructions

• 1

  Keep notes at the first signs of memory impairment in your spouse. Since you know him better than anyone, you're in a better position to gauge any unusual behavior such as forgetfulness, confusion about performing ordinary tasks, disorientation in familiar surroundings or difficulty coming up with the right words when speaking or writing. If you think something might be wrong, keep a record of specific instances that have made you feel that way.

• 2

  Discuss your concerns with your spouse. As tempting as it may be for either or both of you to deny that there is a problem, if it exists, facing it head-on is essential to managing it. If your spouse has not mentioned any unusual behavior that you have noticed, it does not necessarily mean he is not aware of it--he might just be too frightened or embarrassed to broach the subject. Getting it out in the open will be a relief for both of you.

• 3

  Make an appointment to discuss the problem with your family doctor together. If your GP (general practitioner) feels that your concerns are valid, she will refer you to a specialist in age-related conditions (a gerontologist), who will conduct a series of tests to determine whether your spouse's symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of dementia and if so, what disease or condition may be responsible for causing it.

• 4

  Get a second opinion if you are not fully satisfied with the first. Studies have shown that many GPs fail to recognize the early symptoms of dementia as precursors to serious and progressive neurological disorders in older people, and are also reluctant to upset their patients by suggesting the possibility of a diagnosis as devastating as Alzheimer's disease. If your GP dismisses symptoms you believe may be serious as "nothing to worry about," get another opinion.

• 5

  Learn everything possible about what to expect if the diagnosis is dementia. For caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and other progressive forms of dementia, the agony of experiencing a loved one gradually slipping beyond your reach is devastating, but you will be better able to cope if you are psychologically prepared for it. Joining a support group of people who are going through the same kind of experience will help you feel less isolated.

• 6

  Take care of yourself too. Nobody is sure what causes Alzheimer's disease, and while symptoms may be conclusive enough to warrant a probable diagnosis, a positive diagnosis can only be made after death when the brain is autopsied. However, several studies conducted between 2008 and 2010 have found compelling evidence that adults who care for spouses with dementia are at substantially greater risk of developing dementia themselves. Theories about why this is the case include stress, dietary factors or some unknown but shared environmental cause.