Guiding Your Loved One to a Dementia Test: Comprehensive Steps

Early detection is key to managing dementia effectively. This article provides a detailed guide on how to get someone tested for dementia, including preparing for a doctor's visit and conducting a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Seeking Professional Evaluation

To accurately diagnose dementia, a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential. This includes several steps such as medical history review, cognitive assessments, and imaging tests. Early detection allows for timely interventions and support.

Steps to Take Before Visiting a Doctor

1. Make an Appointment
Consult a healthcare professional such as a primary care physician or a neurologist. Discuss your concerns and schedule an appointment.

2. Prepare Medical History
It's crucial to gather relevant information about your loved one's health. Bring the necessary documents and be ready to discuss:

Your loved one's diet, alcohol use, and drug use All currently prescribed medications, bring their bottles Other known medical issues Changes in behavior, especially regarding social and eating habits Family history of dementia or related symptoms

3. Physical Examination
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam as part of the evaluation, which includes a blood pressure check, vital signs, and other relevant tests based on your loved one's symptoms.

4. Cognitive Assessment
Cognitive tests are used to measure your loved one's mental capabilities. Common questions may include:

State the current day, month, and year Draw a clock face with the time set at 20 past 8 Count backward from 100 by 7s

5. Necessary Laboratory Tests
Your doctor may request lab tests such as thyroid hormone tests and vitamin B12 tests to rule out other conditions.

6. Brain Scans
Depending on the symptoms, your doctor might recommend brain scans. CT, MRI, and EEG tests are common.

7. Genetic Testing (Optional)
If there is a family history of early-onset dementia, genetic testing could provide valuable insights. However, be aware that it is a new field with varying results and insurance coverage.

Conducting the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a brief cognitive test that can help assess your loved one's cognitive function. It is not a diagnostic tool but can be a useful indicator of potential cognitive impairment.

How to Administer the MMSE

Step 1: Orientation to Time (5 points)
Ask the following questions:

What year is it? What season is it? What month is it? What is today's date? What day of the week is it? What is the president's name? Who am I? What did you have for breakfast this morning? How many children do you have and what are their ages?

Step 2: Orientation to Place (5 points)
Ask the following questions:

Where are you? What country are you in? What state are you in? What city are you in? What is the address of this house? What room are we in?

Step 3: Registration (3 points)
Name three simple objects and score one point for each word successfully repeated on the first try.

Step 4: Attention (5 points)
Spell the word "WORLD" backwards.

Step 5: Recall (3 points)
Ask the person to repeat the three words they were given earlier.

Step 6: Language (2 points)
Point to a pencil and say, "Point to the pencil."

Step 7: Repetition (1 point)
Ask, "Can you repeat the phrase 'This is not a test'?"

Step 8: Complex Commands (3 points)
Give a multi-step command, such as, "Take a piece of paper in your right hand, fold it in half, and put it on the floor."

Step 9: Follow Written Commands (1 point)
Write a simple command on a piece of paper, such as "Draw a triangle."

Step 10: Write a Sentence (1 point)
Ask the person to write any complete sentence.

Step 11: Copy a Drawing (1 point)
Draft a simple geometric design and ask the person to copy it.

Step 12: Evaluate Results
A score of 23 or below may indicate possible cognitive impairment. Discuss the results with a healthcare professional if the score is low.

Additional Resources for Guidance

For further guidance on dementia testing and evaluation, visit my Quora profile. This resource provides additional support and detailed information on the diagnostic process.