#9: Communicating about dementia: Diagnosis and Prognosis with Dr. Sing Palat

WELCOME TO SEASON 2!!!! This episode we're going a little bit back and going over the diagnosis and prognosis of dementia (see episode 7 for management of dementia). Does it take just a test score? A hunch? Probably not, but we'll go through the details. Our superstar guest is Dr. Sing Palat, MD (bio below), and our guest host is Andrew Dang, MD, a primary care physician. Don't forget to follow up on Instagram at @verigeripodcast!

Show notes

Guest bio:

Sing Palat MD, from Golden Colorado, completed her geriatrics fellowship at the University of Colorado after medical school and an internal medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently a medical director with Optum Senior Community Care, supporting clinicians practicing in long-term care communities. On weekends, she plays the piano, volunteers at The Well free clinic, and goes sightseeing with her husband and teenage son.

Time stamps:

02:55: what's the difference between normal aging and pathologic cognitive impairment?

05:45: what are some misconceptions about dementia?

07:15: what are some common questions about dementia, including family history?

08:45: how do you diagnose dementia?

10:13: Summary

11:27: Staging dementia

14:50: how often do you assess for progression?

16:05: how can families support their loved ones in diagnosis of dementia?

16:44: what can we counsel families about?

18:27: what about Andrew's experience in residency clinic?

19:22: how do you navigate assisted living services?

20:32: when should we start considering assisted living?

24:43: how do you help families try to preserve the patient's identity in dementia?

This episode was in part funded by the Small Grants Program at University of Chicago BSD Office of Diversity & Inclusion. We are truly grateful for the support.