Recognizing the Symptoms of Dementia with IDD Diagnosing dementia is rarely straightforward, but can be even more challenging for those in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community. Many of the most common symptoms of dementia such as language challenges and difficulty with coordination are often things people with IDD already struggle with. This can make it all the more difficult to separate symptoms of dementia from their pre-existing symptoms. Read more
Your Loved One Receives a Dementia Diagnosis: Now What? You’ve worried, wondered, and second-guessed. You may be scared and nervous. Now you find yourself in the doctor’s office with your loved one. Following multiple assessments and a battery of tests, all things point to a diagnosis of dementia. Your emotions race everywhere. At first, you may be shocked or frightened – and maybe even a little relieved to have answers or explanations. Ultimately, even though you admit to having seen signs and symptoms for some time, the official diagnosis can leave you feeling unprepared and confused about what to do next. Read more
Preparing for Your Future After an Early Onset Dementia Diagnosis A diagnosis of dementia can be devastating no matter your age. However, older adults, especially those over the age of 65, tend to be more aware of the possibility of dementia, and know that their risk statistically increases each year. But for younger adults, being diagnosed with dementia between the ages of 30 and 60 is not only upsetting—it can be outright shocking. Read more
Five Social and Emotional Benefits of an Early Dementia Diagnosis Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and dementia is a sticky subject. According to a recent study, nearly 90 percent of Americans said that if they were exhibiting confusion and memory loss, they would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s disease. Yet, over half of the people aged 45 and older with subjective cognitive decline indicated they had not talked with a healthcare provider about their questions and concerns. Read more
5 Tips to Prepare for a Conversation with Your Doctor About Dementia Suspecting that you are suffering from memory loss can feel terrifying. When there’s a chance the answer to your symptoms may be “dementia,” it may seem tempting to avoid even asking the question. However, a missed or delayed opportunity to diagnosis dementia can have long-term consequences. Though confronting the possibility of dementia can be hard, an early diagnosis can make preparing for the future easier both on you and your loved one. Read more
