Preparing for your doctor visit will help you feel confident and informed.
Read the sections below to find out what information you should bring to the appointment, the questions you can expect the doctor to ask you, and what Alzheimer's tests the doctor might perform with your loved one.
It's also important to complete and bring along your personalized Seeing Signs? Guide. It gives you an easy starting point for talking to the doctor, as well as friends and family about the changes you're seeing.
- Schedule a special appointment to talk about the cognition problems you're noticing.
- Be positive.
- If you bring a friend or family member with you this person can sit with your loved one while you talk with the doctor.
- Your loved one may not act the same in the office as at home. If this is the case, be sure to let the doctor know.
- Current and past illnesses
- Family history of illnesses, especially dementia* and Alzheimer's
- Any medications the patient is currently taking
- A history of any psychiatric problems
*ARICEPT is only indicated for dementia of the Alzheimer's type.
Before you have a conversation with your doctor, it's helpful to keep a log of the symptoms and changes you see in your loved one.
Write down your observations and those of other family members. Separate symptoms into the three areas below.
When keeping your log you should also note the following:
- When did the changes begin?
- How often do you notice the changes?
- Have the symptoms gotten worse?















