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In-Home Alzheimer's Screening Test |
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 All available treatments work best at slowing the advance of Alzheimer's, so will yield their best results with early detection and diagnosis. The main reason this doesn't happen more often is both the expense of a doctor's visit specifically for a test and the denial common among Alzheimer's patients in the early stages.
Add to these factors the fact that visiting a doctor's office for a test can introduce false results due to an affect similar to 'white coat hypertension' wherein a person's blood pressure tends to go UP any time it is being measured. A Home Test allows a relative, friend, or professional to administer under the patient's most comfortable surroundings, at his/her own pace, and with inexpensive follow-ups later to detect changes.
The I-HAST (In-Home Alzheimer's Screening Test) is designed as a first look rather than a final diagnosis. It will tell you if 'something' is wrong and, while aimed specifically at Alzheimer's, detect most forms of cognitive deterioration. It merely lets you know if you need to seek professional diagnosis, but will generally do so well in advance of the obvious symptoms indicative of more advanced mental decline.
If professionally administered the I-HAST is in the 90+% range of sensitivity and selectivity (for Alzheimer's). With the inherent bias introduced in testing by a loved one, this can trend down considerably in the case of early stage patients.
The test comes complete with all materials needed for administration and interpretation (grading) and is reuseable. It is suggested an initial test be given to establish a base-line, with periodic testing to detect any changes. Should a patient test below a fixed score, professional diagnosis is recommended as this is NOT a final diagnostic tool. |
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