Some older adults wonder if it's the right time to bring up cognitive decline to their health care provider. If you're having concerns, you should start talking to them about it now. An early diagnosis can help you get the treatments and interventions you need to maintain your cognitive health as long as possible. If you don't have an upcoming appointment, schedule one with your doctor if you're having concerns about your memory.
Before you visit your provider, write a detailed list of the changes you're seeing. Include as much information as possible, including the specific experience, the setting and the timing. Those details can provide important context that helps your doctor determine what's happening.
Other people might be noticing changes in your cognitive health if you're experiencing symptoms. Talk to the people who see you regularly, such as your friends and loved ones, to see if they've noticed any changes in you. They might see things you haven't noticed yet. Write that information down to share with your provider.
Your provider will likely ask you lots of questions about your medical and family history when you bring up cognitive decline. Some types of dementia have genetic connections, so your provider might ask about memory loss in other family members.
They could also ask about your medical and medication history to determine if those things could impact your cognitive processes. Having this information ready can make the appointment more effective and easier.
If you're nervous about the appointment, consider asking a family member or trusted friend to go along with you. They can help you stay calm and give you the confidence to talk openly to your doctor.
Having someone else there could also make the appointment more effective. That person might think of questions or concerns you didn't consider. They can add their input and help you remember what the provider said after the appointment.
Whether you go alone or with someone else, taking notes can help you remember what your provider says. You'll likely get a lot of information in a short period, so you may not remember it all. If you're having cognitive issues, you might be even more likely to forget what you hear in the appointment. If you don't want to be distracted by taking notes while you're talking to the doctor, have a loved one take notes or record the appointment so you can go back and listen to it.
Write a list of questions you have now before the appointment to make sure you don't forget anything. This might include things like what's normal for your age and how dementia progresses. Your provider might answer some of the questions as part of the consultation, but you can reference the list while you're there to see if they left anything unanswered.
Don't be afraid to ask other questions that aren't on your list if something your doctor says sparks more thoughts. Asking questions helps you get the full range of information you need, and you might get comforting answers that can help you feel better about your situation.
It's not always easy to open up about your memory issues. Fear can cause you to hold back. However, facing the situation — even if you get a dementia diagnosis — lets you get the medical help you need to slow things down and keep your brain as healthy as possible. Get to the point quickly to make the best use of your time with your provider. Share as much detail as you can, and answer any questions from your provider honestly.
Your initial conversation with your provider might mostly focus on gathering information about your experiences. From there, the provider might recommend testing that can help diagnose dementia or another medical condition. Ask about that testing and what happens afterward. Your doctor might also offer suggestions for lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet and exercising, to support cognitive health.
You might also ask about things like formal memory care that could be an option down the road. Autumn View Gardens in Ellisville offers compassionate, faith-based memory care if your provider feels you could benefit from this type of support. If you're not at that point yet, your provider might give you some suggestions to help you determine when it's time to consider memory care.
If you feel like your provider doesn't take your concerns seriously, it could be time to check with someone else. Getting a second opinion can be helpful in any medical situation. It helps you gather all the information possible and also get a different perspective in some cases. Being comfortable with your provider and feeling like they're truly listening to you can make the process easier and help you get the care you need and deserve.
