Effective communication with your physician is important for you and your family when you are seeking a diagnosis for memory or other thinking problems. It is important to ask questions, be prepared to answer questions, and be as honest as possible.

What the physician needs to know

• Changes that have occurred in yourself, possibly documented in the form of a journal
  
  
• Possible symptoms beyond memory loss and personality and mood changes
  
  
• A list of all current medications, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements

Questions to ask about testing

• What tests will be performed?
  
  
• What does each test involve?
  
  
• How long will the tests take?
  
  
• How long will it take to learn results?

Finding additional help
You may want to ask for a referral to a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

• Contact your local Alzheimer's Association chapter for a list of Alzheimer's disease specialists in your area.
  
  
• Contact an Alzheimer's Disease Center (ADC) at major medical institutions nationwide. There are about 30 of these centers in the United States, funded by the National Institute on Aging. Many centers offer patients and families:
  
  
  • diagnosis and medical management
    
    
  • information about the disease and services and resources
    
    
  • opportunities for volunteers to participate in drug trials and other clinical research projects (and support groups and other special programs for volunteers and their families)