All, you are absolutely right that not all dementia is Alzheimer's. I ran into the same thing with Dad. He had Dementia so it was classified as Alzheimer's. In fact he had Vascular Dementia. It took me years to to get the right diagnosis. Mom was initially diagnosed with depression for several years but now has one of the better diagnosis having gone through the Memory Assessment Research Service (MARS) twice. Her diagnosis is actually Dementia consistent with Alzheimer's. As they explained... there is no definitive test at this time for Alzheimer's. I have not questioned Mom's diagnosis because she has followed the typical pattern for Alzheimer's.... as did her Mother and many other family members. But Mom and Dad's symptoms were nothing alike. His dementia fit the Vascular Dementia pattern perfectly. Yes, it is very difficult to get a correct diagnosis. Yet putting a label on what we know that fits does help validate. Much of the problems is that general physicians, which are your first responders, are not up to speed on the various types of dementia. Amazingly, of the five family members sitting on the unit porch today, each with a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer's, four of us received the initial diagnosis as depression!!! I just hope that one day there will be a simple way to know for sure which diagnosis fits because it is important in how you treat the symptoms!!!
I will say that this problem is why we do need more awareness of this disease and each of us needs to research, question, and advocate for better diagnosis and treatment!
I am glad your Mom is a big calmer. Hopefully she will make more progresses and will be home soon..... At least you have the Trazadone in your back pocket
Love, deb
