Happy & Healthy with Amy

Alzheimer's Diagnosis: The 5 Questions to Ask

• Amy Lang • Season 2 • Episode 63

Share episode

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 32:14

If your mom or dad has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), does that mean they have Alzheimer's disease?

Not necessarily.

MCI and dementia describe changes in memory and thinking. But neither diagnosis, by itself, tells you what's causing those changes. And Alzheimer's isn't the only possibility.

So how do doctors figure out whether it's actually Alzheimer's? What can memory tests, MRIs, and the newer Alzheimer's blood tests tell us? And what questions should you be asking along the way?

In this episode, I'll walk you through the Alzheimer's diagnosis process, explain why getting an accurate diagnosis matters, and share five questions that can help you advocate for someone you love.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

  • [00:00] Why an MCI diagnosis doesn't automatically mean your parent has Alzheimer's disease
  • [05:08] The critical difference between MCI, dementia, and Alzheimer's—and why it matters
  • [06:34] Why getting an early, accurate Alzheimer's diagnosis matters for treatment options
  • [11:42] What else could be causing memory problems besides Alzheimer's?
  • [13:32] Why your observations about a parent's memory and behavior are so valuable to doctors
  • [14:45] What cognitive screening tests like MoCA, MMSE, and SLUMS can—and cannot—tell you
  • [15:29] When neuropsychological testing may be needed and what it reveals
  • [17:41] What a brain MRI can reveal about cognitive decline—and what it can help rule out
  • [19:36] How Alzheimer's biomarkers, including PET scans, spinal fluid testing, and newer blood tests, are changing the diagnostic process
  • [23:06] Why Alzheimer's biomarkers don't always tell the whole story—and how an accurate diagnosis helps families plan for the future

Want to know exactly what to ask at your parent's next appointment?  Download my free Alzheimer's Diagnosis Checklist

If your mom or dad has been diagnosed with MCI or dementia, remember that the most important question isn't necessarily how to treat Alzheimer's—it's what's actually causing the symptoms? Understanding the diagnosis can help you make informed decisions about treatment, care, and the road ahead.

Listen to the full episode, then download my free Is It Really Alzheimer's? A Diagnosis Checklist for Families to bring to your next doctor's appointment. And be sure to follow Happy & Healthy with Amy so you don't miss the next episode, when we'll take a closer look at Alzheimer's biomarker testing.

RECOMMENDED COMPLEMENTARY EPISODES

RESOURCES: