What specific features of memory decline do you want know?
When taking history for dementia some specific points should always be covered with the patient as well as the person giving collateral history like spouse or children. Questions should be kept open ended, should be repeated, examples should be asked, time of onset of symptoms should be asked and progress should be asked. Most important features to address include: memory loss (forgetting appointments or names), difficulty in familiar tasks (using household appliances), problem with language (unable to find words for small things), disorientation from time and place, poor judgment (unreasonable expenditure of money), abstract thinking, misplacing things (remote in washer), personality change (suspicious of people) and loss of motivation for anything (siting for hours in the same place).
