When preparing for a doctor appointment for a dementia evaluation, it’s important to bring certain items and information that will help the healthcare provider understand the situation fully and make an accurate assessment.
**1. Personal Identification and Medical Records**
Bring your ID, health insurance card, and any relevant medical records. This includes past medical history, current medications (including dosages), previous test results, and notes from other doctors if available.
**2. List of Symptoms and Concerns**
Write down specific symptoms you or your loved one have noticed. Include details like when they started, how often they occur, what seems to trigger them or make them better or worse. Examples include memory problems, confusion about time or place, difficulty with language or communication, changes in mood or behavior such as anxiety or aggression.
**3. Daily Routine Information**
Note any changes in daily activities such as bathing habits, eating patterns, sleeping disturbances, wandering tendencies or resistance to personal care tasks. Mention how these changes affect independence in basic tasks like dressing or managing finances.
**4. Cognitive Changes Observed**
Be ready to discuss issues related to memory (short- and long-term), concentration levels, ability to follow conversations or instructions, orientation to time/place/person — all of which are typically assessed during cognitive testing at the appointment.
**5. Contact Information for a Close Family Member or Caregiver**
Since patients may not always provide complete histories themselves due to cognitive difficulties during evaluation visits can involve an independent historian — someone who knows the patient well (spouse/child/friend) who can provide additional background on symptoms and functional abilities.
**6. Questions You Want Answered About Diagnosis & Care Planning**
Prepare questions about what tests will be done (like cognitive assessments using pen-and-paper tests), possible blood work checking other causes of symptoms (thyroid function/vitamin levels/etc.), next steps after diagnosis including support services available.
Bringing this information helps doctors conduct thorough assessments that cover mental abilities as well as physical health factors contributing to symptoms seen in dementia evaluations. It also supports discussions around safety at home and future care planning tailored specifically for individual needs without causing unnecessary distress during appointments.
