Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Prepare for your doctor's appointment
• Method 2 of 2: Take the MMSE Test
• Tips
• Warnings

Dementia (dementia) is not a clearly diagnosed disease, but usually this concept characterizes the state into which a person falls with severe mental trauma, due to which his ability to lead a normal life is greatly impaired. The state of dementia is caused by memory problems and cognitive impairment, which greatly debilitates a person and makes life difficult. Although this condition is quite common, it is quite difficult to diagnose, so you will need a doctor's help. A friend or family member may test to obtain general information about the state of a person's mental and cognitive functions, but only a doctor will be able to most accurately interpret the results.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Prepare for your doctor's appointment

1. 1 Make an appointment with your doctor. The next section of this article lists tests you can do at home. They will help you get a general idea of ​​the person's condition if you have no other options yet. However, remember that these tests are not an alternative to a specialist diagnosis.
2. 2 Prepare your medical history. Certain medications and various medical conditions can increase the risk of developing dementia. In addition, the risk of developing dementia increases the presence of the condition in a family history (in close relatives), although it cannot be said that dementia is necessarily a genetic disorder.It will be important for the doctor to rule out other conditions and diseases that may mimic the symptoms of dementia (for example, depression, thyroid disease, drug side effects that can affect your memory and thinking). If your symptoms are related to a condition or disease other than dementia, chances are they are reversible. Be prepared to share the following information with your doctor:
   • About diet (or food intake), medicines, alcohol and drug use. Take with you to the doctor the packaging of all the medications you have recently taken.
   • About the presence of other diseases.
   • Changes in behavior (especially related to certain life situations or eating habits).
   • Whether your close family has had dementia (or have similar symptoms).
3. 3 Get a medical check-up. It should include blood pressure measurements, heart rate measurements and body temperature measurements. Your doctor will check your balance, your reflexes, eye movement, and some other tests (depending on your symptoms). This will help your doctor rule out other causes that may have caused your symptoms and, if necessary, conduct a more thorough evaluation.
4. 4 Take a cognitive impairment test. There are many psychological tests that can detect dementia, some of which are described in this article. Here are some of the most popular questions:
   • Enter today, month and year.
   • Draw a dial where the time is indicated: 20 minutes past eight.
   • Count down from one hundred sevens.
5. 5 If necessary, pass general tests. If your doctor hasn't ordered a blood test or other tests, you can ask if you should get thyroid hormone and vitamin B12 tests as these general tests can help narrow down the causes of your symptoms. Your doctor may order several other tests for you (depending on your medical history), but the ones listed above are usually basic and mandatory for every patient.
6. 6 Learn about brain research. If you have certain symptoms, but the cause is still not clear, your doctor may recommend that you undergo a brain test to look for symptoms similar to those of dementia. The most common tests used are CT, MRI and EEG to help diagnose the cause of symptoms similar to dementia. Keep in mind that there is no definitive test for dementia.
   • With the help of the results of the brain examination, the doctor will be able to rule out other diseases and causes.
   • If a doctor is considering an MRI, be sure to talk about any implants and other replacement items you have: pacemakers, joint implants, any splinters, tattoos, and so on.
7. 7 Learn about genetic testing. Genetic testing is controversial because even if you do find the gene responsible for dementia, there is no absolute guarantee that it is activated. However, if any of your family members have or have dementia (especially early dementia), this information may be useful to you and your doctor.
   • Keep in mind that genetic testing is a new type of research that is rapidly evolving. It is quite possible that the results obtained will not be very informative and useful. In addition, genetic research is not included in the CHI system.

Method 2 of 2: Take the MMSE Test

1. 1 Understand that this study cannot be used as the only diagnostic method. The Alzheimer’s Association, the world's leading volunteer organization for the care and support of people with Alzheimer's, does not recommend neglecting a visit to the doctor, preferring only one test.Only take this 10-minute test if you cannot see a doctor immediately (or if you cannot convince a family member or friend to see a doctor).
   • Also, do not take this test if you do not speak the language of the test, or if you have dyslexia or learning disabilities. Better see a doctor.
2. 2 Make sure you understand how to get tested. A person with dementia symptoms should listen carefully to the instructions. The test taker reads the questions below and the instructions for them aloud (or asks the questions right before starting the test). Write down the number of points the subject will receive for each section. At the end of the test, add up the scores for all sections. Any result below 23 points (out of 30 possible) suggests cognitive impairment, which may indicate dementia or other medical conditions.
   • During the test, there should be no calendars in the subject's field of vision.
   • Usually, 10 seconds are allotted for an answer to each question, and 30-60 seconds for questions involving writing, drawing or spelling.
3. 3 Test time orientation (5 points). Ask the person with dementia symptoms the following questions (in order). One point is awarded for each correct answer.
   • What year is it now?
   • What time of year is it?
   • What month is it?
   • What's the date today?
   • What day of the week is it today?
   • Who is the President now?
   • Who am I?
   • What did you eat for breakfast today?
   • How many kids do you have? How old are they?
4. 4 Test orientation in space (5 points). Ask where the subject is currently using five different questions. Earn one point for each correct answer:
   • Where are you now?
   • What country are you in?
   • In which republic are you (region or region)?
   • What city (locality) are you in?
   • What is the address of your house? (What is the name of this building?)
   • What room are we in? (Or, “What floor are we on?” If you are visiting an inpatient).
5. 5 Check perception (3 points). Name three simple objects (for example, "table", "car", "house") and ask the subject to repeat these words right after you. They must be pronounced all together with small pauses, the subject must also repeat them after you with small pauses. Also say that you will ask the subject to repeat these words after a few minutes.
   • For each word correctly repeated on the first try, one point is awarded.
   • Continue repeating the names of these three objects until the subject has named all three. Do not give points for correct answers if they were not given the first time, but write down the number of attempts it took the subject to remember the words correctly (this is also used in some extended versions of the test).)
6. 6 Test attention (5 points). Spell the word "EARTH" (Z-E-M-L-Z). Then ask the subject to pronounce the word in reverse. Give 5 points if the subject will cope with the task in 30 seconds (if not, 0 points).
   • Some therapists find it helpful to write down the subject's answer to a question.
   • This step is described differently in different languages. If the subject speaks a different language, you need to find on the Internet this test exactly in the language in which the subject speaks, since the keyword can change.
7. 7 Assess the subject's memory (3 points). Ask him to repeat the three words you asked him to remember earlier. Give a point for each correct word.
8. 8 Test his speech (2 points). Point him to a pencil and ask: "What is it called?" Then point to your wristwatch and repeat the question. One point is awarded for each correct answer.
9. 9 Repetition test (1 point). Ask the subject to repeat the phrase: "No if, and or but." One point is awarded for a successful result.
   • This step must also be followed verbatim.If the subject speaks another language, find on the Internet how the key phrase will sound in this case.
10. 10 Check the subject's ability to execute complex commands (3 points). Ask the subject to execute a three-step command. For example, ask him to take a piece of paper with his right hand, fold it in half, and place it on the floor.
11. 11 Test the ability to execute the written commands (1 point). Write on a piece of paper, "Close your eyes." Then give this sheet to the subject and ask him to execute the command. If he copes with the task in 10 seconds or less, 1 point is awarded.
12. 12 Test the ability to write a sentence (1 point). Ask the subject to write one complete sentence on a piece of paper. If the sentence contains a verb and a noun, and the sentence makes sense, one point is awarded. Spelling mistakes don't matter.
13. 13 Test the ability to copy an image (1 point). Draw geometric shapes on a piece of paper: a pentagon that overlaps with one of the corners of the second exactly the same pentagon. Ask the subject to repeat this drawing on his piece of paper. If the following parameters were met correctly, one point is awarded:
    • Two figures, both pentagons.
    • A figure formed by the intersection of two pentagons has four sides (or five sides, as in the original figure).
14. 14 Check the results. If the subject scored 23 points or less, it is recommended to consult a doctor. If you do not have a medical background, it is best not to tell the subject what the result means.
    • If the subject scored 24 points or more, but you still observe symptoms of dementia, try other tests at http://memini.ru/tests or http://dementcia.ru/diagnostika/test-na-dementsiyu-sage.

Tips

• Keep in mind that dementia is not limited to the elderly and the elderly! The number of cases of so-called early dementia, which affects young people, is on the rise.
• You can also try the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale test - it is one of the newer and is considered more sensitive to early cognitive changes. It will help identify the presence of cognitive impairments.
• If your doctor or home test results show that there is nothing to worry about but your symptoms only get worse, seek the advice of another doctor.
• Cognitive changes in older adults can indicate a number of reversible conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid abnormalities, drug side effects, and depression. If you notice any symptoms of dementia in a loved one, take them to the doctor for an examination.

Warnings

• Alcohol and drug dementia are serious conditions that can affect anyone of any age who has problems with alcohol or drugs. For substance abuse, it is important to get timely help.