CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Early detection can lead to better care

The Hibbing Daily Tribune - 8/3/2017

HIBBING - There are a few warning signs that indicate the possible onset of dementia.

There are 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The most common of these are: memory loss that disrupts daily life, challenges in planning or solving problems, confusion with place and time, and difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or leisure.

If one is experiencing these symptoms, it may be worthwhile to complete a dementia screening.

Screenings are short, cognitive tests that look to detect some of the early warning signs and symptoms of dementia so individuals can get the best care possible if diagnosed with the disease.

The benefits of early detection are many. As the Alzheimer's Association points out, these benefits include: a better chance of benefiting from treatment, more time to plan for the future, lessened anxieties about unknown problems, increased chances of participating in clinical drug trials, helping advance research, and better opportunities to participate in decisions about care, transportation, living options financial and legal matters.

Early detection is key when so many individuals are anticipated to have dementia.

"By region, depending on where the boundaries are, basically 10 percent of the population 65-plus years of age within that area would be expected to have dementia, likely due to Alzheimer's disease," Dr. Steve Waring, of the Essentia Institute of Rural Health (EIRH), explained. "As the population increases due to the baby boomer effect, the number of people with dementia will increase as well."

Because of these numbers and the benefits of early detection, a collaborative effort between Dr. Joe Bianco, primary care director for Essentia Health, Dr. Michael Sharland, who specializes in neuropsychology, and Waring, identified a need to better diagnose dementia illnesses and to standardize the type of care and resources offered to patients.

"Our goal is to identify patients who may have dementia so we can create the proper care plan for them and offer resources to them at the same time," Bianco said in a release. "Early detection allows patients and families to make plans for the future. We can also connect them to resources in their community that can offer information, services, support, respite and day care."

Screenings involve a 5-minute cognitive test and is now part of patients' free Medicare wellness visit with a registered nurse or annual physical with a physician.

Patients who don't pass the initial test will take a more detailed cognitive test and undergo other examinations to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

"We're hopeful this screening will lead to earlier detection of cognitive issues in our senior population, so we can help improve their health and ultimately the quality of life for them and their family members," Bianco said.

Nationwide News