Getting a Dementia Diagnosis in Calgary and Area

Your family doctor

This is the most common starting point. It's okay to talk with your family doctor about what you're noticing, whether it's about yourself or someone you care about. Your doctor can begin the assessment, rule out other causes, and refer you to a specialist if needed.

Health Link (811) — Dementia Advice Service

Alberta's Health Link offers a Dementia Advice Service by phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can talk to a nurse about what you're seeing and get guidance on next steps, without needing an appointment first. This service will not provide a diagnosis, but is a good option if you're not sure where to begin, if you want to talk something through before talking with a doctor, or if you don't have a family doctor. Dial 8-1-1 from your phone.

A hospital visit

Sometimes the path into diagnosis starts somewhere unplanned, like an emergency room visit after a fall, an infection, or a sudden change in confusion. A hospital visit can also be an opportunity to talk with a physician. If this is how you've ended up here, that's a valid starting point too.

Getting a diagnosis can take time, courage, and advocacy. Sharing your concerns, or a diagnosis once you have one, with the people closest to you can get you the support you need.

There is no single test for Alzheimer's disease or any other type of dementia. A diagnosis comes from a thorough, step-by-step process designed to rule out other treatable conditions before landing on dementia as the cause. Many conditions can look like dementia symptoms, including depression, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, sleep disorders, and reactions to medication. The encouraging part is that some of these causes are treatable.

Here's what the process typically includes:

Medical history review Your doctor will ask about your medical history, current medications, past illnesses, and family health history. They may also want to speak with family members or close friends, since the person going through the changes isn't always going to remember what was discussed, or may not fully recognize the changes themselves.

Physical assessment A thorough physical exam helps identify any other health conditions that could be contributing to the symptoms.

Laboratory tests Blood tests check for things like vitamin deficiencies, thyroid function, and blood sugar, all of which can affect thinking and memory.

Specialized assessments Imaging tests such as a CT or MRI scan can show changes in the brain, while cognitive assessments look at memory, language, problem-solving, and other areas of thinking.

It's okay to talk with your own family doctor about this, and it's okay to ask them directly whether a referral to a specialist makes sense for your situation.

Your family doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist, geriatrician, or psychiatrist, who has additional training and tools for diagnosing dementia. A diagnosis of dementia is typically only made after other potential causes have been ruled out.

In Alberta, you have the right to request a referral to a specialist if you feel your family doctor isn't able to fully address your concerns. You don't need to wait to be offered one. It's a reasonable thing to ask for directly.

There's no single timeline, and that can be one of the hardest parts. Getting a full picture, ruling out other causes, gathering test results, and potentially waiting for a specialist referral all take time. It's common for the process to stretch over weeks or months rather than resolve in a single visit.

This isn't a sign that something has gone wrong or that you're being ignored. It reflects how careful and thorough a proper diagnosis needs to be. If you're unsure what to expect for your specific situation, ask your doctor directly what the next steps and rough timeline look like, or call a Dementia Support Navigator, who can help you understand where things typically stand at this point in the process.

While there is no cure, there are supports and treatments available.

It's completely understandable to feel afraid of what a diagnosis might confirm. But a diagnosis isn't just a label. It's a point of entry into the health-care system and the supports that come with it.

A diagnosis can open the door to:

• Treatment options that can help manage symptoms
• Access to services, programs, and financial supports, such as the Disability Tax Credit, Alberta Aids to Daily Living, or an adult day program
• A clearer path for planning ahead, including legal, financial, and care decisions
• Connection to a community of people who understand what you're going through

Getting a diagnosis, or even just raising your concerns, can be one of the most meaningful things you do for your family. It makes the decisions ahead a little bit easier.