Diagnosing Memory Disorders: A Guide For Families

As parents grow older, you and other family members may notice that he or she is becoming increasingly forgetful.

Your mother has difficulty remembering how to use the stove or follow her favorite recipes and your once-sociable father no longer recognizes you or the friends he has known for years. Such behaviors are common signs of memory disorders. As the disease progresses memory loss turns decision-making, bill paying – even following simple directions for preparing a meal – into complicated tasks for people with the disorder.

If you suspect that an older family member may be suffering from Alzheimer's or a similar disease it's essential for him to be examined and assessed by a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of memory-related disorders in older adults. He or she will evaluate your parent's symptoms and medical history to determine if your parent's symptoms are caused by Alzheimer's, another memory disorder or a physical illness. If necessary, a referral can be made to a neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or other specialist for further evaluations and treatment recommendations.

PREPARING FOR A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT

People with memory disorders are often unable to provide accurate information about their condition. Family caregivers are a key source of valuable information for the physicians who will evaluate and treat their older relative. Before the appointment obtain a copy of your parent's medical records from her primary care physician. Make a list your parent's memory loss symptoms and when you first noticed them. Ask your pharmacist to give you a list of all the prescription medicines your relative takes along with any over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, and herbal preparations.

Bring along a list of questions you both have and a notebook and pencil or small tape recorder to write down the doctor's answers:

• What tests will be needed?
• What does each test involve?
• Where will the tests be taken?
• How long will they take?
• When will the results of the tests be ready?

DIAGNOSING MEMORY DISORDERS

At the medical appointment the doctor will ask you and your relative about memory loss symptoms he or she has been experiencing:

• What symptoms have you noticed?
• When did you first become aware of them?
• How often do they occur?
• Have they gotten worse?

The doctor will also ask about other health conditions your parent has and if anyone else in the family has had symptoms of a memory disorder or had been diagnosed with a memory-related illness.

MENTAL AND NEUROLOGICAL TESTS

These tests are usually given in the doctor's office and essential to determining if an older person is suffering from a memory disorder or if her memory loss is caused by the effects of another physical or mental illness. They may include a physical and neurological exam along with a variety of paper and pencil tests used to evaluate memory. Your parent may also be asked to state what day it is, count backward from 100 by sevens, spell a word backward, or make a drawing of a clock with twelve numbers in the correct places to indicate a specific time.

CT, MRI and other brain imaging procedures may be administered to study your parent's brain tissue and how well his brain cells are functioning. Before such tests make sure you and your relative both understand what the test is for, how it will be administered, and what your parent can expect to happen during the procedure.

ROLE OF CAREGIVERS IN DIAGNOSING MEMORY LOSS

Diagnosing a memory disorder like Alzheimer's can be a physically, mentally and psychologically challenging experience for individuals who may have a serious memory disorder and their families. Caregivers are essential sources of information about their parent's health history and support for the individual who is undergoing a variety of tests and procedures that he or she may not fully understand. Explain the examinations and procedures he or she will experience and don't hesitate to ask questions on his or her behalf.