20 Key Questions to Ask After a Dementia Diagnosis
20 Key Questions to Ask After a Dementia Diagnosis Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.
What’s the ?
What caused my dementia?
What is the likely course of decline? How long do I have?
What , other than memory loss, can I expect, and what will the pace of decline be?What can I do to slow the decline? (What medicines are effective and what results can I expect from them? What lifestyle changes will be helpful?)What about and programs that claim to cure Alzheimer’s disease?Where can I go to learn more about dementia?What help is available to guide me through my illness?If I have a problem that might be related to my dementia, whom should I call?What plans should I make now to prepare for a time when I can be less engaged in making decisions?How should I select a ?What are reasonable goals for me for me now and in the future?How can I preserve what matters to me?As the disease progresses, will I suffer?I’m afraid of becoming dependent and a burden. Will that happen?When will I need to get help in the home or go to a facility?Should I tell people about my diagnosis?Should I continue to interact with people even though they might notice that something about me is different?What are the chances that my children will get dementia? Is there anything they can do to ?
20 Questions to Ask When Dementia is Diagnosed
UCLA experts say information can help patients and families through next steps
Getty Images A diagnosis of dementia, whether your own or a loved one’s, may leave everyone involved feeling overwhelmed, anxious and uncertain about what the future will hold. It’s important to gather as much information from your doctor as you can, starting with 20 questions, compiled by the , to help dementia patients and their families navigate the complex medical, social and emotional issues associated with their diagnosis. is one of more than 40 vetted, proven dementia caregiving programs featured in , a free, online database that provides organizations with an easy-to-use, comprehensive tool to learn about top dementia caregiving programs across the United States. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.Key questions to ask your doctor br
What type of do I have?What’s the ?
What caused my dementia?
What is the likely course of decline? How long do I have?
What , other than memory loss, can I expect, and what will the pace of decline be?What can I do to slow the decline? (What medicines are effective and what results can I expect from them? What lifestyle changes will be helpful?)What about and programs that claim to cure Alzheimer’s disease?Where can I go to learn more about dementia?What help is available to guide me through my illness?If I have a problem that might be related to my dementia, whom should I call?What plans should I make now to prepare for a time when I can be less engaged in making decisions?How should I select a ?What are reasonable goals for me for me now and in the future?How can I preserve what matters to me?As the disease progresses, will I suffer?I’m afraid of becoming dependent and a burden. Will that happen?When will I need to get help in the home or go to a facility?Should I tell people about my diagnosis?Should I continue to interact with people even though they might notice that something about me is different?What are the chances that my children will get dementia? Is there anything they can do to ?