Early diagnosis is best

An early diagnosis of dementia is critical to allow people to better manage the illness according to Alzheimer’s New South Wales, chief executive officer, John Watkins.

He said an early diagnosis can help give control back to people, allow them to explore appropriate medication options which may help slow down the progress of the disease, and allow them to plan for the future while they are still able to do so.

“An early diagnosis also allows people to access support services earlier, such as Alzheimer’s Australia’s Living With Memory Loss early intervention program,” Mr Watkins said.

“The right support can allow people to live with the diagnosis rather than be held hostage by it as it reduces feelings of isolation, can empower them to access much-needed information about the illness and, importantly, it connects people who are going through the same experience so they know they are not alone.

“Support groups, counselling and helping people to understand the disease, reduces the stigma surrounding the illness and gives people a much better quality of life”.

His comments are in contrast to a recent report that early diagnosis increased the chance of suicide.