First appointment

When it comes to the first appointment with a doctor that fits your needs and personal welfare there are many questions that should be kept in mind. According to an article I have found through the New York Times database there are 9 basic yet crucial questions to be discussed.

• How can we be sure my symptoms aren’t the result of a stroke, mental illness or another treatable condition?
• What stage of Alzheimer’s disease am I in? What comes next?
• What can I do to preserve my health and mental abilities for as long as possible?
• What physical symptoms should I anticipate?
• Should I undergo brain neuroimaging?
• My children are worried about inheriting this illness. Would it be useful for our family to undergo genetic testing?
• What drugs are currently available for Alzheimer’s disease, and how well do they work?
• My family is afraid to let me drive. Would you refer me for a driving evaluation so we can have an objective opinion of my ability?
• What can I do to make things easier on my family?

            Follow this link to get a small description on why each of these questions are         so important to cover with your doctor. 

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-alzheimers-ask.html

From there he or she may refer you to as many as four different specialists. The first may be a Neurologist which specializes in diseases of the brain and nervous system. The second a psychiatrist which specializes in disorders that affect the way the mind works and a person’s mood. The third is a psychologist who has special training in testing memory and other mental functions and capabilities. The fourth would be a geriatrician who specializes in care for older adults and Alzheimer’s disease.