Understanding Dementia Scales: A Guide to Interpretation

In the United States alone, more than 5 million people suffer from dementia. There are several types of dementia, and each form of the disease affects people in different ways. If you or someone you love has been administered a dementia test, knowing the dementia scale can be helpful in determining what stage the patient is in. Discussing the matter with your doctor is the best way to find out where the patient is and where she may end up.

Instructions

• 1

  Read a score denoting mild dementia. This score will fall between 0 and 5. The patient may misplace items, begin to lose sense of time, or begin to wander or get lost. It may be difficult to notice dementia at this stage, because the deterioration of faculties is slow. It is easy to blame ̶0;old age̶1; at this stage.

• 2

  See a score showing moderate dementia. This score ranges from 6 to 11, and the patient will have decreased function in managing daily activities. Sun-downing may occur, which may fool relatives because the patient functions much better in the morning, with symptoms becoming worse in the evening. The person will be likely to get lost, cannot learn new things, and may begin to show signs of hostility or aggression.

• 3

  Recognize severe dementia, which registers on the dementia scale between 12 and 17. The patient may not recognize close family members, may not know where he is and may not be able to speak clearly. Bodily functions, such as the ability to walk to the toilet oneself, decreases.