Do you suspect dementia in your loved one? There are many ways to investigate if dementia is present.

Your physician may give a screening test like the Mini Cog, the General Practitional Assessment of Cognition, or the Ascertain Dementia 8-item informant questionnaire. These will help determine if further investigation is needed.

Blood work may also be needed to rule out other causes of mental confusion. A blood count to rule out anemia, Vitamin B deficiency, hypothyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes, and liver and kidney insufficiency/failure. To view the brain, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without contrast is the preferred test to exclude other intracranial abnormalities such as stroke, normal-pressure hydrocephalus, subdural hematoma (blood pooling in the brain) or a mass.

Investigate the confusion, it may be treatable.