Doctor Urges Earlier Diagnosis of Dementia

University of Washington School of Medicine Professor Barak Gaster wants better and earlier discussions between doctors and individuals about cognitive problems and potential dementia diagnoses, reports UW Medicine . Gaster hosts workshops for other doctors about the value of looking for and following up on signs of potential dementia. He encourages people to talk about any significant memory problems with their physicians, and for doctors to explore the subject with recipients. "Most people who are living with dementia have never had it diagnosed or explained to them or their families," Gaster says. "As a person's mind slowly fades, their families and doctors often find it easier to avert their gaze and brush off its signs as normal aging. This avoidance leaves individuals and families adrift, stumbling, without a plan and without support." Gaster notes such benign neglect is unacceptable. The Alzheimer's Association took a major step earlier this year by issuing guidelines urging primary care providers to more carefully assess early signs of cognitive decline.