DEMENTIA-DIAGNOSIS

SUMMARY

Abnormalities in 2 or more of the following 5 domains, progressive & interferes with ADLs:

1) Memory: acquiring and/or remembering new information. Do they ask repetitive questions, lose items, or get lost?

2) Executive function: reasoning and performing complex tasks. Do they understand appropriate danger? Can they perform ADLs?

3) Perception: assessing visuospatial orientation. Do they recognize faces and objects? Can they dress?

4) Language: comprehension and speaking appropriate language. Do they have problems recalling common words without hesitations?

5) Attention & behavior: behaving normally and appropriately. Is there undue agitation, apathy, loss of empathy, compulsive behavior?

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].