Suggestions for getting testing before dementia symptoms appear?
I'm 56M and worried about getting dementia someday since both of my parents have/had it and would like to avoid it/delay it however possible.
In both of my parents I noticed (what I now know to be) dementia symptoms in their 70s. They needed increasing amounts of home care for 5+ years and eventually moved them to a memory care facility 4+ years ago. My dad's symptoms worsened and he passed after 8 months in the facility (at 89). My mom (now 86) is still at the same facility and her symptoms are continuing to increase. She has virtually no short-term memory, still remember myself and my sibling, but increasingly confuses me for her brother, etc. They both have/had Kaiser and none of their Doctors would ever push for testing beyond noting dementia symptoms and reporting that to the DMV. So I have no idea what they really "have".
I have an annual physical coming up, and am wondering if it's "safe" to talk to my doctor about my concerns for dementia. I'm 56 and my wife and kids (and even myself) feel like we are noticing more verbal slip-ups, getting words wrong, etc. And with a family history of dementia, I really worry that I can see how I might end up.
Basically - want to ask about testing (mental, MOCA, genetics, whatever) on myself so I can "get help early" if needed / keep track of how I'm progressing (or not) vs keeping this to myself because I don't want this getting logged as a pre-existing condition (stupid American health insurance).
I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation, so I'm hoping I can get some suggestions from y'all.
Thank you so much!