Preparing Ahead for Potential Cognitive Evaluation Can Speed Up Diagnosis

Dear Carol: I’m worried about my 61-year-old wife’s memory and decreasing ability to make sound decisions. She agrees with me that she needs to see her doctor for a regular checkup and to ask about cognitive decline. We both want to go to the appointment educated enough about the process to ask the right questions regarding the future. Do you know of a reliable resource we can use? Thanks so much for your ongoing help. – VB

Dear VB: Kudos to you both for facing these changes head-on. There may be a relatively easy-to-reverse explanation, but if not, early diagnosis of potential cognitive changes can lay the groundwork for better treatment. For the medical exam, if possible, start with a geriatrician or an internal medical…

Read more on Inforum for more discussion on how older people can prepare for a medical appointment that may (or may not) involve cognitive issues:

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Support a caregiver or jump-start discussion in support groups with real stories – for bulk orders of Minding Our Elders e-mail Carol  Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.   

An inspiring read for caregivers! Minding Our Elders is a series of stories about caregiving. But it is much more than that. It’s a book that helps us view aging and community through the lens of someone well versed in eldercare. Author Carol Bradley Bursack has been a caregiver for a neighbor and six elderly members of her family. These experiences made her the perfect person to interview and share the stories of friends and acquaintances. Through crisp writing and a sharp focus, we enter the lives of those struggling to care for loved ones with dementia and other age-related illnesses. As I read Minding Our Elders, I felt myself filling up with both appreciation and admiration for those who adopt the caregiving role. In addition, I was struck with the inherent value Carol sees in our elders. This is a well-written book that will stir your heart! …Ann Campanella