Dementia self referal

I sometimes am unaware of the date, I also wake up and ask myself 'what day is it' When your retired these things don't need to be at the forefront of your mind.

May I just say that it depends on the type of dementia someone is diagnosed with as to whether or not any drugs can be prescribed in an effort to slow the patients decline.

Can't see that your driving would be compromised by being tested, unless there is actually a problem.
If there is a problem that could lead to a lapse in driving skills, would you want to risk it?

I'd think your GP would want to check out everything possible first and not rush into a diagnosis of dementia.

(A previous poster on another thread - can't remember what - said that her DH was on the point of being diagnosed as having dementia when it was found out he was short of folic acid, and a course of that restored him to health & wellness. Something to think about.)

I suspect depression has a lot to do with it, I am rather low atm (we have some extended family problems). I am concerned that being tested would compromise my driving.
I have just completed a self test (SAGE), the result was perfect, in fact apart from trying hard to remember the instruction that I had to complete at the end, and knowing the date (had it not been Friday 13th, I'm sure I would have been guessing), I found it very simple.

I often fail to know the current date, it's not the sort of thing I bother to think about, I would check my phone if I needed it.

Definitely depression can do it, at my worst even driving a mile to my surgery was a struggle with concentrating......

I think a visit to the GP would be a good option, because, as others have said, an early diagnosis is very beneficial when it comes to treatment. But, as you know that depression is a problem for you, this can mimic dementia, and anti-depressants can slow you down.

A proper diagnosis is needed and if there is a problem you will be offered further assessment and treatment with drugs or strategies to help you cope. A diagnosis of dementia is not the disaster it once was - Terry Pratchett, Michael Gambon and other celebrities have this problem and continue working. Judy Dench (it took me a long while to dredge her name up from my brain!!) sometimes uses an earpiece so she can be prompted as she finds it hard to remember her lines.

I know that you will worry about this if you do not seek help. It may be that GP will be able to reassure you. It is difficult as we are all probably experiencing lapses of memory at our age and it is hard to know what is or isn't within the bounds of normal aging - we have not done this before!

I've had the driving thing you mention once or twice and it is disconcerting.
Suddenly a road i have driven along many times stops being familiar and I have to drive on for a few minutes before it becomes recognizable again.

I forget names all the time. Last year I went to John Lewis to buy a face cream I have been using regularly for at least twenty years and found I could not recall it's name. In the end I went home without buying it and it was several hours before I suddenly remembered it was Lancome.

I worry sometimes. If you are really concerned pompa no harm in going along to your GP and explaining the situation.

I always have to think about which is left or right, but then I always have done. I put it down to being ambidextrous to some extent. My Dad has dementia. The first time we noticed was after his prostate op. About five years ago. He couldn't remember the name of the pudding he had and saw strange things at night! He began losing words quite quickly after that but a diagnosis, and the proper drugs gave him an extra two years of good quality life. He's nearly 92 now.

Hopefully you will have nothing to worry about pompa, but certainly a trip to your GP would be a good idea.
I have to think twice sometimes about left and right !

You can only go to your Dr's pompa and tell him how you feel and he will do some simple tests and this could put your mind at rest or if he thinks you have a problem he will refer you and get you a diagnosis. My DH first went to our GP 4 years ago and was told he just had a bad memory.I should not have taken this but DH was happy, however last year he was diagnosed with dementia and is on medication.

If he had been given a proper diagnosis and treatment then, it may have delayed the progress of his illness.

Sorry if this sounds bleak, I just feel the sooner the better and of course your worries may be allayed.

Get an early diagnosis and then medication has a better chance of prolonging a good level of mental ability. When you talk to your GP don't assume or fear you have dementia or other memory problem until any lowness in mood is assessed. People with depression or SAD frequently have problems with memory.

Mind you we can all be very forgetful at times so don't write yourself off. Worrying about what you may or may not have is worse than knowing so see your GP.

Pompa I can understand where you're coming from. My maternal gran had dementia. My mum had early onset Alzheimers. She died 2yrs. ago. I did the youguv online test for Alzheimers and afterward was informed by emal to see my GP asap. It freaked me out. I am constantly reviewing my surroundings, appearance, speech, behaviour and cognitive awareness. I even have to hold both hands up to determine right and left. So I know how you feel

Just be aware pompa if you are diagnosed with dementia it can affect your car insurance etc..