September is World Alzheimer’s Month
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and this year’s theme says it clearly: the earlier you know, the more you can do. An earlier and accurate dementia diagnosis can open the door to treatment, support, education, and planning. This September, we can help more Canadians living with dementia and their care partners get the support they deserve.
The earlier you know, the more you can do
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and this year’s theme says it clearly: the earlier you know, the more you can do.
More than 78 million people around the world are projected to be living with dementia by 2030, increasing to 139 million by 2050. Globally, someone develops dementia every three seconds. In Canada, more than 750,000 people are living with dementia today. By 2030, that number is expected to approach 1 million. In Toronto, over 51,000 people are currently living with dementia. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a community. That’s why awareness matters, and why your support does too. An earlier and accurate dementia diagnosis can open the door to treatment, support, education, and planning. This September, we can help more Canadians living with dementia and their care partners get the support they deserve.
A dementia diagnosis can feel overwhelming. But knowing earlier can make a real difference.
With an earlier and accurate diagnosis, people living with dementia can:
- Access treatment and support sooner
- Make informed decisions about future care
- Connect with community programs and education
- Reduce uncertainty for families and care partners
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto is here to provide support to people living with dementia and their care partners in our community.
Why is seeking a diagnosis important?
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be similar to symptoms of other conditions such as depression, thyroid or heart disease, infections, drug interactions or alcohol abuse. Finding out the cause of the symptoms can help you:
- Understand the cause of the symptoms
- Get the proper care, treatment and support
- Plan for the future
The earlier a treatment can be given, the better the result.
Getting a diagnosis
No single test can tell if a person has Alzheimer’s disease. The diagnosis is made through a systematic assessment that eliminates other possible causes. Until there is a conclusive test, doctors may continue to use the words “probable Alzheimer’s disease.”
Making the diagnosis can take time. The diagnosis can be made by a family doctor or a specialist. When making the diagnosis, the doctor may or may not refer you to other healthcare professionals. These may include a psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, geriatrician, nurse, social worker or occupational therapist. They will look for problems with your memory, reasoning ability, language and judgment, and how these affect day-to-day function.
The diagnostic process involves:
Medical history
Both you and your family members or friends will be asked questions regarding your symptoms now and in the past. There will be questions about past illnesses and about family medical and psychiatric history.
Mental status exam
This part of the process tests your sense of time and place as well as the ability to remember, express yourself and do simple calculations. It may involve exercises such as recalling words and objects, drawing and spelling, and questions such as “What year is it?”
Physical exam
To help rule out other causes, a physical exam will be done. The doctor will look for heart, lung, liver, kidney or thyroid problems that may be causing the symptoms. To evaluate whether other nervous system disorders are causing the symptoms, the doctor will test muscle tone and strength, co-ordination, eye movement, speech and sensation.
Laboratory tests
Detailed blood work will be ordered to help detect problems such as anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems or infections that might be contributing to the symptoms.
Other tests such as X-rays and EEGs (electroencephalogram) may be used to determine the source of the problem. In some medical centres, scans may be used.
The following may be recommended, but are not always necessary for a diagnosis:
CT (computerized tomography) scan and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) take images of the brain.
SPECT (single proton emission computed tomography) shows how blood is circulating to the brain.
PET (positive electron tomography) shows how the different areas of the brain respond during certain activities such as reading and talking, but this scan is usually done after 45 minutes of rest.
Psychiatric and psychological evaluations
A psychiatric evaluation may be helpful in ruling out other illnesses such as depression, which can cause symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Neuro-psychological testing can evaluate memory, reasoning and writing.
Preparing for the assessment
On the day of the appointment, write the following information down and bring it with you.
Things you will be asked:
- What symptoms have been noticed?
- When did they first appear?
- How have the symptoms changed over time?
- What other medical conditions exist?
- What medications are currently being taken (both prescription and over-thecounter)?
- What herbal remedies and/or dietary supplements are currently being taken?
- Is there a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or psychiatric conditions?
Things you may want to ask:
- Which tests will be performed?
- What is involved in the tests?
- How long will the tests take?
- How long will it take to learn the results?
- How are the results communicated?
- Who will be involved?
The role of friends and family
If you are a family member or friend, you maybe the one who alerts the doctor of a problem.
Tips to lend a hand:
- Make the appointment for the person, if they wish.
- Help with transportation.
- Share this brochure with other family members.
- Offer to accompany the person to appointments and tests.
- Help prepare information for the first appointment.
- Appreciate that this can be an unsettling time for the person and provide emotional support.
- Have patience; it can take a long period of time to arrive at a diagnosis.
If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s disease
You may want to ask:
- What does the diagnosis mean?
- What can be expected over time?
- What care will be needed and is available, now and in the future?
- What treatment is available? What are the risks and benefits?
- What resources are available in the community to help?
- Are there any experimental drug trials to participate in?
- When is the next appointment?
AST is here to help
By 2030, researchers project that nearly 1 million people in Canada could be living with dementia.
Over half of Canadians say they worry about dementia, and yet so many still feel they have to carry that fear in isolation. Stigma convinces people to wait, to stay silent and to not seek the answers and help they need. When we speak openly, share stories, and seek information, people get help sooner and feel less alone. That’s where AST can become a lifeline.
At the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, we envision a Toronto where every person impacted by dementia lives with dignity, purpose and connection. We offer programs, education, counselling, healthcare navigation, social outings, and so much more for those individuals living with dementia and their families and care partners.