First and foremost, he needs to see a doctor to rule out anything else, such a thyroid deficiency, Vitamin deficiencies and other things. You can't just start making such assumptions without crossing off the 'fixable' things. If the doctor suspects one of the dementia's, he will perform a MINI MENTAL, I have written this out before, but here it is again:
Quote:
.... each person is unique and gives different answers ... this is pretty much the basics:
The 'Mini Mental" exam is a non-threating (or theoretically non-threating) test that can be done by just sitting and chatting ... no poking, no prodding and done right, it can be a pleasant experience. They get 2 points for a correct answer, 1 point for a close answer and 0 points for a wrong answer.
Orientation:
1) What year is it?
2) What month is it?
3) What season is it?
4) Where are we: Country, City, part of city
REGISTRATION
1) Name three objects (usually pencil, paper and table because they are the immediate objects they can see).
2) Repeat the names of the objects
ATTENTION & CALCULATION
1) Count backwards from 100 by 7's. Allow 5 answers.
OR
2) Spell WORLD backwards
RECALL
1) Ask them to name the 3 objects from before.
LANGUAGE
Name a pencil and watch.
Repeat the following: 'No ifs, ands or buts'
Follow a three-stage command: 'Take a paper in your right hand, fold it in half and put it on the floor'
Read and obey the following:
a) Close your eyes
b) Write a sentence.
c) Copy a design (usually a 5 sided figure interlocked with another 5 sided figure)
From there you add up the score, although Language gives different scoring but you can get the idea.
You must also take into consideration their hearing and eyesight and any other disabilities (such as moving to a new town etc), but you must be tough in other ways by not prompting !!
|
You can try this at home to give yourself an idea ... but don't diagnose !! Take him to a doctor PRONTO !!!
Cheers
Linear Mode
