Understanding Normal Thinking vs. Dementia

🌟 Ever wondered how doctors differentiate between normal thinking and dementia? In this eye-opening video, I dive deep into the world of neuropsychological testing and break down the methods doctors use to differentiate between everyday forgetfulness and signs of dementia.

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00:00 Intro: The big Question
00:19 The Testing Process
01:40 Purpose of tests
04:52 Understanding the data
06:43 Age, Education, Race and their role in testing
07:51 Mild Cognitive Impairment vs. Dementia
12:42 Test Scores and Reporting
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It’s our mission to make dementia caregiving easier for families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, or any other type of dementia. We believe that in order to create a more dementia friendly world, we must first create a caregiver friendly world. That's why we create free educational training videos like this one so that anyone with an internet connection can get access to dementia care information.
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DISCLAIMER: The content of this video - or any content by Dementia Careblazers - does not replace the need for healthcare professionals. Our content is not healthcare advice and is not a substitute for your own healthcare. It is for general education and demonstration only. Do not use this content to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. By consuming content from Dementia Careblazers, you agree to hold harmless and indemnify Dementia Careblazers LLC for any and all losses, injuries, or damages resulting from any and all claims that arise from your use or misuse of this content. All content or recommendations on the company’s website, social media, blog, or email series. All comments from Dementia Careblazers’ are expressions of opinion only.

In case you haven’t met me, my name is Natali Edmonds and I am a board certified geropsychologist. That means that I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with older adults. One day, while hiking a trail, I came up with the idea for Careblazers and I decided to see if posting videos online could provide help to the many other Careblazers in the world who don’t get to have help come directly to them in their homes. I hope that this work helps you in some way on your caregiving journey.
#careblazer #dementia #dementiacare

[Querencia]

My grandmother who died of Alzheimer’s, was given a series of tests when she was deep in dementia. When she was asked to draw a clock, she drew the most beautiful mantle clock with sloped sides and perfect numbers. The doctor was blown away. Not everybody fits tests.

[terismedley]

I actually had the neuropsychological testing myself after I had concerns with my memory and feeling like my brain wasn't functioning like it normally does. I am 68 years old and wanted to (if nothing else) have a baseline to compare against in the future. The variety of testing was very interesting and I could readily see if they were looking at mental organization skills, memory skills, problem solving skills, and even understanding skills. Turns out my problems were a result of extreme stress, but knowing that it wasn't a decline in my brain process was a relief.

[MarieJesne]

Early diagnosis is so important. My auntie was diagnosed officially with MCI and in spite of Alzheimer's being known to run on that side of the family, she refused to go back for an official diagnosis until much, much later. In the meantime, as her mind declined, she was financially preyed upon. Since there was no POA or guardianship, we were helpless to stop it, and if she was asked directly she would either say she agreed to give the money, or she had no memory of it. If we had the official diagnosis sooner, I believe we could have prevented it or at least pursued some action against the scammer. This happened a while ago and thankfully the family has been able to come together and make sure she still has everything she needs. But a word of warning to anyone, please don't delay these tests. The wait list is already long enough. Delaying the diagnosis does not delay the effects of the disease, all it will do is leave you or your loved one vulnerable!

[cindyschroyer]

When I was 64 I had a SAH and went through this testing. I remember many of the questions because I taught second grade for years. My clock was perfect. I failed other things. (like words that start with J) They tested me twice about a month apart and I had the same score. I'm 70 and continue working some of the time.

[judyfeldman]

Thank you. My husband (79) and I (77) were tested to get a baseline after my husband fell. My husband was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. I was above normal. Your videos have helped me understand as I’m heartbroken seeing him recognize his situation. I’m terrified of our future but will continue to believe that learning as much as I can will help us both.

[DorotheaALindsey]

Dr. Natalie Thank you for this video, my husband was tested 2 years ago and the Doctor never said what Dementia he had till this year, he has FLD and is 5 year old in a 75yr body. All the videos are of great help to us, Thank You for all you do.

[libertysprings]

I have worked with dementia patients and I think the PCP doctors underdiagnose dementia because many people can still get a 24/30 score on that little test in the office. Once the person can't live alone without assistance (forgets to take meds, can't pay their bills, forgets to take showers, etc) I think they should just diagnose dementia right then instead of dragging it out for years before referring to the neuropsychologist. Many people are struggling and need more help with tasks of daily living but their doctor just does nothing once they get the 24/30 score. I had dementia patients who could still do the clock drawing but could not be safely left alone. Whenever I went home from caregiving it felt like leaving a 4 year old alone. If doctors could give the diagnosis sooner maybe extended families would believe the caregivers that their loved one needs more than just 4 hrs a day help. You can't tell what they need from just talking to them on the phone or in the doctor's office since they can sound normal.
Thanks so much for your channel helping to spread the word about these awful diseases. It is definitely not normal aging because I know people in their 90s who have no problems living alone and taking their meds, paying bills, keeping up with hygiene, etc.

[smkh]

My 97-year-old mother was tested at our clinic for mental acuity, 6 months apart;
she went from a 90% to a 60% success rate. We also had her tested with the famed
Montreal test and she scored about 60% . Her deterioration is entirely due to the opiates she was given after a fall, in my opinion.

[opietwoep]

Thanks for sharing. It was so hard watching my mom failing all of these tests. She is 4 years in and is 90 years old soon.

[JanetLynnEthier]

Thank you so much, love your videos. Both of my parents were diagnosed with dementia. My father was diagnosed in 2019, and he passed away in 2021, and my mother was diagnosed in 2021 with Vascular Dementia and Dementia, so all the tips and explanations that you have made available to people have been a life saver for me. Having two parents with dementia was not something we expected, and certainly nobody wants to see their loved ones go through this horrible disease so any help is always greatly appreciated!

[traveler]

Good stuff
-- As you know, people are different, and some of us "need" to understand the "why" and "how" of an issue before seeing how to manage the issue.
Please continue along this path of discussion.

[pintsizestories]

I'm glad you explained that someone could still score above average and be suffering from dementia. I read somewhere that it's important to be aware of change not just absolute ability.

[desireehouse]

This was a great explanation of how the tests are scored, something I wasn’t aware of when my mom was diagnosed. At the clinic she went to, it was a half day appointment with the neuropsychologist, gerontologist and neurologist. They did the interview, testing and reviewed the medical tests. At the end, the neurologist came in with the diagnosis and next steps. She waited a long time for that appointment (6months, but they had been booked out over a year at one point) but it was worth it.

[maypalmer]

Dr. Natalie, this video was incredibly helpful as I had my husband tested and he came in a 2 deviations from the mean. I joined your Careblazers Community and am so glad to be involved with such an incredibly caring and knowledgeable group of caregivers! Thank you Dr. Natalie for all of your God-Given energy, passion and grace in all that you present.

[nwidqrf]

So very helpful. My husband has been described as having mci for many years but this is the first time I have actually understood the difference. He does not appear to be getting worse, but the past 20 years have been hard on me, frustrating, and caused quite a few arguments before I understood that he wasn't just "lazy". Thank you so much.

[robyn]

My loved one has only had the short doctor's office testing. It was helpful to me to hear the explanation of the clock test.

[bdomwkl]

Great information - thank you - I've told so many people about your videos and all the help you have given me (my mom has undiagnosed dementia) - I have totally changed my mindset with my mom because of all of your help and advice! It makes our relationship so much better! Thank you again - With so much appreciation - Lori Mundis

[TheFeatheredCottageWithDee]

Thank you for this information. My husband has this testing next week. This is very helpful to me to understand what this testing tells us.

[ayrahrothcontrarytopopular]

My mother is going for testing in a few weeks. This is helpful. Thank you

[Friskyhorton]

Here in Australia, weve recently had trouble with sexual assaults in Dementia centres. Now i have witnessed sexual assault many times, between residents, and my reports were ignored. Its simply too difficult to prevent this in mixed sex dementia places. I am promoting single sex dementia places and wonder what you and others think. ?