6 Questions to Ask Your Doctor After a Dementia Diagnosis: Did you know that someone develops dementia every three seconds worldwide, and as of 2020, over 50 million people were living with dementia across the globe?
Research predicts that the number will almost double 20 years from now. That’s a scary thought. What else is scary is getting news that you or some you love is developing dementia.
The mind is a precious thing, and no one wants to lose it. Unfortunately, the number of dementia cases is staggering. This is why timely diagnosis by an experienced doctor like Dr. Lindsay Clark is very important.
But, there are some questions you can ask your doctor to help you or a loved one better navigate the dementia diagnosis. Take a look below for some tips.
1. What Choices Do I Have?
By asking your doctor what choices you have moving forward, you’ll get a deeper understanding of what to expect.
You’ll know what’s possible and what’s not. You’ll also be able to figure out what the next step is and ways to maintain a higher quality of life.
2. How Might I React to Any Treatments?
Knowing what treatments you need and what the outcome of those treatments could be will give you peace of mind and temper your expectations.
Some forms of dementia are reversible, and some aren’t. Have your doctor clarify which side of that you come down on.
3. How Have Other People Dealt With It?
Like just about anything in life, you can learn from previous experiences. You can learn from both positive and negatives ones.
Talk to your doctor about what has and hasn’t worked for other patients in the past who are dealing with your specific form of dementia.
4. What Is Recommended for Your Family?
You should ask your doctor for information and advice for your family. Family members can often feel confused about how to act around a person with dementia.
Your doctor can give you the advice to pass along to them and provide you with reading materials to take home for them.
This will not only make them more comfortable while giving them direction, but you’ll also provide them with rare dementia support, and it will benefit you as well.
5. Should I Get Help In-Home or a Facility?
This is an important question to answer. You and your doctor should discuss the best course of action to receive help for your dementia.
You’ll need to decide if you should do it at your house or a home that specializes in treating dementia patients.
The answer will depend on what your current living situation is. Do you have many relatives alive that can help, and how close do they live to you.
6. Can I Talk to Anyone Else?
Find out who else you could be talking with to help you through this trying time. Your doctor should be able to point you toward support groups and, if need be, recommend a psychiatrist.
They may even have someone in their healthcare facility that you could talk to along with your doctor. Or someone else who’s been diagnosed with dementia.
After a Dementia Diagnosis
After a dementia diagnosis, you need to make sure to ask the right questions. Getting answers to these questions above will give you a head start on this unexpected journey.
It will also help you to be in a better mental state as long as possible. Knowledge is power, and with the answers to the six questions above, you’ll feel much better about things.
Check out our Health & Fitness blog for more great insight.
