Orlando Home CareWhen a parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it is natural to find yourself at a loss for words. It’s also natural to then have many, many questions. Your parent’s physician can help answer these questions. The following are some important questions to ask:
Why do you think it’s Alzheimer’s disease and not something else?
Knowing how the doctor arrived at his or her diagnosis will help you gain a better understanding of your parent’s condition. Ask how the doctor distinguished your parent’s condition from other illnesses such as depression or other types of dementia. And make certain that the doctor did perform tests to eliminate the possibilities of depression, malnourishment or vitamin deficiencies that can cause Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.
What stage of the disease is my parent in now?
Alzheimer’s is typically divided into early, middle, and late stages. It can affect each person differently, but there are common patterns. Knowing the stages and patterns enables you to help your parent manage her symptoms and to plan ahead.
What can I expect in the next stages?
Knowing what lies down the road as the disease progresses helps you think ahead and develop a plan of care with your family. The physician can identify issues that you’ll likely need to address and ways to cope with them.
Remember, there are no stupid questions when dealing with Alzheimer’s. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to handle the future. For more questions that you should ask your parent’s doctor about Alzheimer’s, contact Partners in HealthCare in Orlando FL. We’re always happy to help.
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