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Getting diagnosed

Even if someone has Alzheimer’s, it doesn’t mean his or her life is over; a person with AD can live a meaningful and productive life for many years, but it’s important to get a proper diagnosis.

People often wait too long to seek help, says Dr. Shah.

“Most diagnoses are still made in the moderate stage, after most individuals have been experiencing symptoms for years already,” says Dr. Shah. “It doesn’t help the person or family to wait until symptoms become so obvious that the diagnosis can be easily made. It is better to seek an evaluation earlier to help maintain quality of life and to prevent social or medical crises due to memory loss.”