But lately, you ve noticed she seems withdrawn and has trouble remembering everyday details. This could signal the onset of Alzheimer s disease. To properly diagnose and treat Alzheimer s, it s important to find a comprehensive program that provides support to patients as well as their caregivers. Alzheimer s patients frequently become combative, engage in verbal outbursts, show increased paranoia and resist normal activities of daily living such as bathing. UCI Medical Center provides both inpatient and outpatient programs to treat these behavioral disturbances in addition to short-term memory loss.
Patients receive a thorough evaluation, including medical history, blood tests and imaging tests.
Medications are also checked because they often exacerbate symptoms. While both debilitating and progressive, an Alzheimer s diagnosis is the exception, rather than the rule, in advanced age. This disorder is frequently misdiagnosed. Many prescribed medications can cause mental loss. Additional problems that cause Alzheimer s-like symptoms include depression, trauma, tumors and other neurological disorders.