Testing for type of Alzheimmer's

There is no correct answer. There are just preferences.

I know that there is no cure, but as a nurse, I know the value of having accurate medical records, I wanted to know what type my mom has. I am an only child, and I have an only child. My husband and I both have parents with dementia. Hubby's mom was diagnosed, then died from Alzheimers. In December, my mom was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment/dementia. I harassed her pcp until I got him to order an MRI of the brain. It was done last month. Her dementia is now officially labeled as Vascular Dementia. I believe hers is mixed though, as her labs showed amyloid plagues which is typically found in AZ. However, now my child, grandchildren, and all future generations will know of their family's medical history. For me, it was worth it.🫂

I agree there is really no wrong answer here as long as treatable causes have been ruled out. I’m the kind of person who wants to plan. I don’t do well with not knowing. So for us we did a few appointments and seen a neurologist for a specific diagnosis. There can be some differences in the type of dementia. Alzheimer’s average life expectancy is, i think 7 years, where vascular dementia average life expectancy is 5. Louie body dementia tends to have more problems with movement, vascular dementia is often associated with stroke and symptoms depend on the area of the brain effected. If you don’t want to put her through the testing and you’re comfortable taking it day by day then I think you have made the right decision. Even with a specific diagnosis who really knows what’s going to happen anyway. It’s ugly and horrible no matter what kind of dementia it is.