Should You Be Tested for Dementia?

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/should-you-be-tested-for-dementia.html

November 19, 2015

Editor’s Note: The following article is written by Dr. David Hilfiker, an author and former physician who was diagnosed with cognitive impairment in 2012. His doctors initially believed he had Alzheimer’s, but further testing ruled out this diagnosis. The cause of David’s progressive cognitive decline is still uncertain, and he blogs about his unique experiences on AgingCare.com.

I recently visited the Montgomery Hospice in nearby Maryland to speak to a group of fifty staff and volunteers who work with patients with Alzheimer’s disease or some other dementia. For twenty minutes I described my history, my composure (so far) in the face of the disease, and my paradoxical joy in the call I’ve been given around Alzheimer’s.

I was surprised (again) by the energy and intensity of the questions. In a past career of public speaking, I’ve presented about poverty, American politics and economics, or matters of faith. Usually the questions go on for about ten minutes and then peter out. But this time, the questions were still coming, some with considerable intensity when, after a full hour and a half together, time ran out. Something similar has happened in every such conversation so far.

A most common question is some version of, “I may be having symptoms; should I get tested for cognitive impairment?” Most of the time the underlying question is probably, “Do I really want to know?” Alzheimer’s disease seems so frightening and there’s no treatment anyway, so what’s the use of dealing with it before I have to?

FULL story at link.