A question's about Dementia

Robert59

Robert59

Well-known Member
Location
Now I live in Tennesee. Did live in Michigan.
My lady I take care of that has Bipolar one said her mental doctor said she has Dementia and it's on her medical records and her other family doctor claims she doesn't have it. How does the doctor check to find out if she has it?

Thanks.
 

It depends who you ask. Apparently any doctor can assess a patient for this but if it’s from a legal stand point, a proper capacity test needs to be done. There are only certain qualified individuals who can do this and it’s expensive; about $500 to $750.

This is how it is where we live but might be different where you are.
 
Both my older brothers have dementia as told by each of their doctors. I know they both have some form of dementia as they cannot live by themselves and in various degrees they can't remember things in the present anymore.
 

My wife had frontotemporal dementia which her primary and I suspected but it was confirmed by a neurologist who administered simple tests and whose fee was far less than $500. She also had corticobasal degeneration.

I was her primary caregiver with help from an agency that sent someone 12 hrs. a day X 7 days a week. Kept her out of a nursing home but I wouldn't be able to caregive with my current musculoskeletal issues of the upper extremities.

It was purgatory for me what with feeding, changing diapers, sponge baths, and inserting catheters but it was absolute hell for my poor wife.
 
Many conditions that are a normal part of the aging process are labeled as "diseases" so drugs can be prescribed for them.
And for many conditions, we will get different diagnoses. Medicine is called a "Practice" for a reason.
 
I have a cousin who, along with her husband, has been diagnosed with dementia. Over a period of a couple of years, they began to decline to the point where they could no longer take care of themselves. The bad part is they thought everything was fine, even though all those around them could see that they were going downhill, and this couple refused to seek any help. Eventually, they got so bad that their physical health began to be impacted, and they Finally agreed to see a doctor. As part of their diagnosis, they were given a 30 question "test", and they both failed miserably....she got 7 right, and he got 12. Fortunately, they are in good financial shape, and have been placed in a very nice care facility where they can be taken care of properly....for years, if necessary.

Dementia would seem, to me, to be as bad, or worse than being totally disabled physically.
 
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Robert59 said:
Today she went some where in her car and the key got stuck in the lock of the door and she couldn't get it out. I found out she forgot how to remove the key which is very easy. Her friend's say she is very forget full in last year or so.
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You might wanna read this @Robert59.....will give you more insight from the Mayo Clinic which I find trustworthy:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352019
 

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