“The 21-question test distinguishes between normal absent-mindedness and the more sinister memory lapses that may signal the early stages of dementia. The questions are designed to be answered by a spouse or close friend. The Alzheimer’s Questionnaire, which is almost 90 per cent accurate, measures mild cognitive impairment – the slight memory lapses that can be a precursor of the disease.”
I do not know what DH’s score would have been 2 years ago when our troubles began – today it is 15.
I think this tool could be very useful to confirm, or relieve, concerns about a spouse. If it confirms concerns, it could be bought to the doctor’s office to open a dialogue. I’d like to see it replace, or at least augment, that silly Mini-mental test. Of course the medical community would have to spend decades studying it. Maybe we could bypass that process, and just start using it ourselves.
I don't know...at first glance it seems pretty basic to me. But maybe that's all that's needed. I think if you check out sites such as Alzheimer's Association, and look at one of those lists of "warning signs of Alz," you'll get a list a lot like this, just maybe not in question form.
Maybe if I'd had these questions back in '04, I would have known to be more persistent and it wouldn't have taken until '07 to get a diagnosis. At this point of course, we'd score maximum points on every question.