How to Talk to the Doctor
Talking to the Doctor
If you have concerns about yourself or a loved one, be sure to talk with a healthcare provider. Once you talk to a healthcare provider, you can both think about treatment and care options.
Suggestions for talking to the doctor:
Doctor Discussion Guide
- Be open and honest. It may help the doctor make a diagnosis.
- Give details. Be specific about how your loved one is doing and feeling.
- Ask questions. Start with the questions that matter most to you.
- Ask for more explanation if you need it.
Bring a list of questions with you to the doctor. This may help you get the most out of your discussions.
Questions to ask if you suspect you or a loved one has Alzheimer's disease:
- 1. How can we tell if memory loss is caused by Alzheimer's disease?
- 2. What tests will be performed to determine a diagnosis?
- 3. What does each test involve?
- 4. How long will it take to get results?
- 5. When should I come back for another visit?
- 6. Where can I go for more information?
- 7. If it is Alzheimer's disease, is ARICEPT an appropriate treatment?
Questions to ask when you or your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease:
- 1. What should I expect now and in the future?
- 2. What resources are available locally that offer support for the patient and the caregiver?
- 3. How is Alzheimer's disease treated?
- 4. Is ARICEPT right for me/my loved one?
- 5. What kind of benefits may I see with ARICEPT treatment?
- 6. Can I/my loved one start ARICEPT now?
- 7. What are the possible side effects?
What to ask if you or your loved one is diagnosed with dementia:
- 1. Is it Alzheimer's dementia?
- 2. if it's Alzheimer's, can ARICEPT treat the symptoms?