differential diagnosis

Map Branches

• Why assess cog. function? (general)
  • By definition:
    • dementia
  • early identification is important
    • 10-15% of cases REVERSIBLE
      • Clarfield 1988
    • National Strategy for Dementia
      • aim: ensure early diagnosis
        • currently
• specific purposes of CCD Ax in Dementia
  • detect dementia
  • identify cognitive-comm. deficits
  • identify retained abilities
  • establish a cog-comm baseline for:
    • planning intervention
    • measuring outcomes
  • counseling caregivers
  • predict skills vulerable to future decline
• Pointers for ax!
  • choosing tests
    • want comprehensive evaluation?
      • include measures of:
        • mental status
        • executive function
        • verbal memory
        • language production
        • language comprehension
    • want valid+reliable?
      • Use tests
        • behavioural measures for screening for Dem:
          • episodic memory
          • mental status
        • standardized on:
          • healthy elders
          • ppl. with dementia
  • professional boundaries
    • SLT role
      • NOT DIAGNOSIS
        • Doctors do this!
      • detailed cognitive profiling: may assist
        • management
        • differential diagnosis
      • screening
        • Onward referral for diagnosis
  • Be alert to:
    • drug effects
    • possible depression
  • prior to testing:
    • build rapport
      • test anxiety
    • check
      • literacy
      • vision
      • hearing
    • review MHx

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