Common Questions

You do not need a referral. Anyone can contact the Alzheimer Society of Calgary – whether you’re concerned for yourself or someone you care about.

Dementia is a general term. It describes acquired challenges with memory, thinking, reasoning, judgment, and behaviour that significantly impact a person’s daily life.

Talk with your doctor about the unique changes you see in your person. There is no single test to diagnose any dementia. Diagnosis usually includes reviewing a person’s medical history, physical exams, lab tests, imaging procedures, and cognitive assessments.

The family doctor may refer the person to a specialist such as a neurologist, geriatrician, or psychiatrist. A diagnosis of probable dementia is made after excluding all other potential causes.

Read more on our page about risk reduction.

Only a small percentage of dementia is hereditary - less than 5%. If there has been dementia in your family, you may have some hereditary markers for dementia. But this is most often for the young onset type, which appears before a person is 65.

Yes, but it is generally not recommended except in rare cases where a family history of diseases contributes to dementia.

As dementia progresses, issues with memory, reasoning, and judgment will grow. A person’s ability to communicate and care for themselves will also decline. Behaviour changes may become more challenging but will vary from person to person.

YES, they are!

Familiarity is comforting for a person living with dementia. Routines and a structured schedule will help the person establish a sense of normalcy. Many people find it helpful to have a routine they stick to as closely as possible. Activities that become habits allow for familiarity to develop.

Behaviour changes are common for people living with dementia and can be distressing for caregivers. All behaviour has meaning and is a form of communication.

No. Dementia affects each person differently.

Some people can become aggressive, and others may become more laid back. For strategies to help manage these changes in behaviour go to contact us.

Every person has a right to be informed of their diagnosis. Telling someone will depend on the needs of the person and their situation. A person living with dementia may not have the ability to tell things are changing for them.

Contact us or your doctor to discuss this further.

Speak to our support team or try counselling to help the family deal with their emotions and cope with the diagnosis. Contact us for information, guidance, and support.

Sometimes family members are somewhat relieved to hear a diagnosis because it helps them understand why a loved one has changed. At the same time, it can be overwhelming for the family when they understand the implications of the diagnosis.

A person living with dementia experiences changes within their brain that create difficulties with short-term (and sometimes long-term) memory. They simply can’t recall the answer you just provided.

Try to understand the reason behind their questions. Could they have any unmet needs, fear, loneliness, or frustration?

Acknowledge and validate the emotion. Check our Education Sessions for Strategies to help

Check out these videos on Therapeutic Fibbing to learn solutions to possible issues. Also, consider attending one of our Education Sessions to learn strategies.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for dementia. Some medications can control symptoms for variable lengths of time. These medications cannot stop or slow the progression of the disease.

Speak with your doctor for the best source of information about medications for dementia.

No alternative medications or supplements have been proven to treat or prevent dementia. Alternative medications or supplements may not be safe because of unknown ingredients. They may also cause negative side effects because of interaction with prescribed medications.

As dementia progresses, the need for care increases and the person with dementia will need supervision and care both day and night. It can be difficult for a caregiver to meet the increasing needs in advanced stages of dementia. Other factors to consider are the caregiver’s physical and mental health, stress levels and sleep disturbances.

For those who may benefit from higher levels of care, the time to move the person varies based on the people involved and the unique situation.