A free guide for families
It looks like dementia. It might not be.
The five treatable conditions families mistake for dementia, and the exact thing to ask the doctor for each one. A one-page read to bring to the next appointment.
I'm not a doctor and this isn't a diagnosis. It's the list I wish every family had before the appointment.
Where should I send it?
It lands in your inbox in about a minute, with a short note from me every Tuesday after that. My help is free for families because communities pay my fee.
Already searching? Text me the city or zip code and the level of care your parent needs, and I'll start a shortlist with pricing.
What's inside
Every one of these is treatable. Every one of them gets missed.
The infection that looks like dementia overnight
Sudden confusion, no fever, no burning. The tell that it isn't dementia, and the one test to ask for the same day.
Confusion that comes and goes
Usually after a hospital stay, an infection or a new medication. What to say to the care team, and why it can take weeks to clear.
The pills that cloud thinking
Sleep aids, anxiety medication, older allergy and bladder drugs. How to get every bottle reviewed in one visit.
The shuffling walk that points somewhere else
Three signs that show up together, usually in order. The scan to ask for, and why a neurologist can sometimes reverse it.
When it's grief, not memory
The tell most families miss: your parent complains about their memory. People with dementia usually don't.
Plus the appointment script
What to bring, the exact sentence to say to the doctor, what to do if they say it's just age, and what to do if the tests come back clear.
If it is dementia, you're not alone.
If the tests come back and it is dementia, the next question is usually where. That's the part I do: I help families find the right assisted living or memory care community, on the Treasure Coast in person and in all 50 states by phone. It's free for families, because communities pay my fee if your parent moves in and is happy.
Text me the city or zip code and what your parent needs, and I'll send three that fit, with pricing.