Preparing for an appointment

Medical care for the loss of memory or other thinking skills usually requires a team or partner strategy. If you're worried about memory loss or related symptoms, ask a close relative or friend to go with you to a doctor's appointment. In addition to providing support, your partner can provide help in answering questions.

If you're going with someone to a doctor's appointment, your role may be to provide some history or your thoughts on changes you have seen. This teamwork is an important part of medical care for initial appointments and throughout a treatment plan.

Your primary care doctor may refer you to a neurologist, psychiatrist, neuropsychologist or other specialist for further evaluation.

What you can do

You can prepare for your appointment by writing down as much information as possible to share. Information may include:

• Medical history, including any past or current diagnoses and family medical history
• Medical team, including the name and contact information of any current physician, mental health professional or therapist
• Medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal medications or other dietary supplements
• Symptoms, including specific examples of changes in memory or thinking skills

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will likely ask a number of the following questions to understand changes in memory or other thinking skills. If you are accompanying someone to an appointment, be prepared to provide your perspective as needed. Your doctor may ask:

• What kinds of memory difficulties and mental lapses are you having? When did you first notice them?
• Are they steadily getting worse, or are they sometimes better and sometimes worse?
• Have you stopped doing certain activities, such as managing finances or shopping, because these activities were too mentally challenging?
• How is your mood? Do you feel depressed, sadder or more anxious than usual?
• Have you gotten lost lately on a driving route or in a situation that's usually familiar to you?
• Has anyone expressed unusual concern about your driving?
• Have you noticed any changes in the way you tend to react to people or events?
• Do you have more energy than usual, less than usual or about the same?
• What medications are you taking? Are you taking any vitamins or supplements?
• Do you drink alcohol? How much?
• Have you noticed any trembling or trouble walking?
• Are you having any trouble remembering your medical appointments or when to take your medication?
• Have you had your hearing and vision tested recently?
• Did anyone else in your family ever have memory trouble? Was anyone ever diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia?
• Do you act out your dreams while sleeping (punch, flail, shout, scream)? Do you snore?