Dementia diagnosis

Because dementia is a cluster of symptoms rather than a disease, there is no one way to test for dementia. However, medical providers will diagnose^[16] the condition based on the evaluation of several factors, including the patient’s medical history, a comprehensive physical exam, laboratory tests, and specific tests to examine changes in cognitive function. A healthcare provider will choose which tests to administer based on the type of dementia a patient is believed to have. Testing will be used to identify the characteristic changes that specific types of dementia and evaluate patterns in thinking, behavior, and everyday function. While healthcare providers can determine whether a person has dementia, it can be difficult to determine the exact type of dementia a patient has. Unless a brain scan is performed or the patient shows evidence of having had a stroke, it may be impossible to diagnose what exactly is causing their dementia.