The Path to an Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis

If a parent or other family member has started to show signs of dementia or possible Alzheimer's disease, you may feel overwhelmed and unable to figure out what to do. Your most important priority is to get a diagnosis. The earlier you can put a name to the problem, the easier it is to organize a care plan.

Six steps to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

There's no single test for Alzheimer's disease or most other dementias. In fact, a definitive diagnosis can only be made after death, by examining brain tissue for telltale changes. But doctors can make a probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's with as much as 90 percent certainty. Start here: