A family doctor should order medical tests to rule out the presence of other conditions such as stroke, changes in the blood flow in the brain or thyroid conditions. An increased number of white blood cells may indicate an infection, which could result in memory loss. The only definitive way to diagnosis the disease is to study a piece of the patient's brain tissue under a microscope, which is not advised while the patient is still alive, according to the National Institute for Aging. Once a diagnosis is made, a care plan is set up. Zandi recommends the patient and family members seek out support groups, information about the disease and respite for caregivers.
Caregivers alone can never provide all the services and care to a patient.
They must seek out help from agencies and institutions. Day care for the patient or having someone in the home so they can care for their own needs is crucial. This disease can last for 20 years. He advises caregivers to use respite as a way of having some time for themselves. During the first stage of the disease, the patient is able to function at some level within the home, but begins to lose some of his ability to perform daily living skills such as bathing or eating.