Fast Referrals: Why They Matter

There are thousands of Georgians who have noticed signs of memory loss or cognitive impairment, but many of them have never received a diagnosis for those symptoms. Some may have talked about the symptoms with their Primary Care Provider, or other healthcare professionals. Many others have kept them to themselves. Too often, this leads to Georgians not getting diagnosed for their memory symptoms.

They may have put off getting diagnosed because they’ve heard that it can take so long to get an accurate diagnosis in Georgia. That was true once—but the reality has changed for the better. Georgia Memory Net is the public/private partnership that helps Georgians get accurate diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in weeks instead of months.

Fast diagnosis can be a game changer. There are many benefits to getting an early diagnosis. Here are just a few:

Lifestyle Changes. Research has shown that some healthy habits, including specialized diets, exercise plans, and social interaction, can help preserve a person living with Alzheimer’s mental function. With a diagnosis, your healthcare professionals can help come up with a plan that may improve the quality of your life and health.

More Time to Plan. Many dementias can make it hard to do long term planning, especially in the later stages of the disease. Getting diagnosed early gives you time to talk to your loved ones, share your goals and desires, and plan the road ahead together.

Breakthrough Therapies. There are new medicines and therapies available for the treatment of Alzheimer’s that show great promise. But most of them are only appropriate for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Waiting to get diagnosed may mean missing out on the latest advances in treatment.

Connecting with Support. There are organizations all over Georgia that help people living with Alzheimer’s, and their families, in a variety of ways. Diagnosis is often the first step toward connecting with these services in order to lessen your family’s collective care burden.

Savings. Our state, and our nation, spends a lot of money dealing with the consequences of undiagnosed Alzheimer’s. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, if all Americans were diagnosed early it would collectively save around $7 trillion in health and long-term care costs.

Emotional Benefits. There is a lot of anxiety and fear attached to the uncertainty of undiagnosed symptoms. Knowing their cause can reduce that anxiety, giving families clarity, as well as the opportunity to make the most of their time together.

In conclusion, if you’re noticing memory issues, or you’re having trouble thinking, don’t wait. Talk to your Primary Care Provider and ask if an appointment with Georgia Memory Net for diagnosis is appropriate. You can learn more about referrals at GaMemoryNet.org/referrals.