When it comes to Alzheimer's, all doctors agree that early detection is key to slowing down the progression of the disease.  Unfortunately, many people are not diagnosed until considerable damage has already occurred to the brain. Early symptoms may be ignored or chalked up to "old age".  In many cases, the individual who is experiencing the symptoms may be afraid of acknowledging them for fear of family members hindering their independence.   Of course, family members can be prone to ignoring the symptoms as well.  Whether it be denial that their parent is getting older and may be sick or just believe that their loved one is just becoming "senile" with old age.
However, new studies are showing that family members and close friends can be an excellent and reliable source for helping to determine if a loved one needs to be screened and tested.

     Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri have developed a 2 minute questionnaire, Ascertain Dementia 8 or AD8.  According to Right at Home, a home care referral source, family members or close friends use AD8 "to evaluate whether cognitive changes have caused the individual to have difficulties in performing everyday activities."  The questions are looking for any changes in these areas:

• Problems with judgment, such as bad financial decisions.
• Reduced interest in hobbies and other activities.
• Repeating of questions, stories or statements.
• Trouble learning how to use a tool or appliance, such as a television remote or microwave.
• Forgetting the month or year.
• Difficulty handling complicated financial affairs, such as balancing a checkbook.
• Difficulty remembering appointments.
• Consistent problems with thinking and memory.

If the person filling out the AD8 answers YES to 2 or more questions, than the individual in question should be screened and tested.  As John C. Morris, MD, director of the Charles F and Joanne Knight Alzheimer's Research Center at Washington University School of Medicine says, "It is not economically feasible to screen everyone for Alzheimer's biomarkers.  The AD8 gives us a brief and very low-cost alternative that takes just a few minutes of the informant's time to screen for the dementia and thus identify those individuals who need follow-up evaluations to determine if there truly are signs of Alzheimer's."  Having a 2nd party evaluate an individual's behavior can be more helpful,  as Morris points out "...because people with early-early stage dementia often lack insight into their problem."

    The results of the the AD8 questionnaire have corresponded to medical exams much more consistently than traditional cognitive tests.  By getting involved and taking a few minutes to answer a few questions honestly, families may identify a cognitive problem early enough to make a huge difference in the amount of care needed for the individual in the future. Of course, this may not only ease the emotional stress that comes from living with this disease, but may help lessen the expense of long term care.  No one wants to hear the news that a family member has Alzheimer's, but early detection allows for more options in treatment. Having an early awareness also benefits a person by keeping them safe and out of harms way.

Does someone you know have Alzheimer's or dementia?  Did a friend or family member detect the symptoms?  Please share you experiences with us.