My mother is 86 and based upon all my reading about Alzheimer's, which ive done a lot of lately, I'm sure she has Alzheimer's. Her primary care has seen her twice in the last year and shea due to see him again in March. I faxed him a letter describing the short term memory issues before the first appt and he has given her verbal memory tests at both appts and put her on aricept at the last appt. A diagnosis has not bewn given...but i see further symptoms as the month a go by, lack of ability to follow instructions or conversations, balance checkbook, etc. My question is, should i press for a diagnosis to confirm alzheimers? Is there a reason to have a diagnosis, other than to know what to expect...which i already do thanks to the articles and books ive been reading about the disease.
I've never had her diagnosed because I don't think she has Alzheimers. She can still do a crossword puzzle and read a novel (I'm not sure how much she remembers, but she seems to enjoy them). I tease her that as long as she's not putting her mustard jars in the toilet (a friend's grandmother did that), we're good. She knows me and my brother and can carry on a good, though limited conversation. But she'll ask me the same question 10X in 10 minutes. I think my mom's problem is caused by the medications she's been on for heart problems (a-fib) and high blood pressure (Lipitor). And just general cognitive decline from aging.
I'm very comfortable with where we are and with no diagnosis. My mom is 95 and has her little routine and does OK on her own with a lot of help from me. If you think a diagnosis would change your treatment of her, then try to get one. But don't feel like you have to if it won't change anything.
And while Alzheimer's is a form of dementia it has different hallmarks than garden variety dementia. It shares some symptoms but there are behaviors that are specifically seen with Alzheimer's that you may not see with basic dementia.
Personally, I'd want to know. Alzheimer's isn't the only form of dementia.