Final answer:
A 78-year-old female showing signs of memory loss, incontinence, and gait disturbance should be assessed for Alzheimer's disease through cognitive tests and brain imaging, as well as urinary tests for infections like cystitis. A specialist may assist with a comprehensive management plan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 78-year-old female patient presenting with memory loss, incontinence, gait disturbance, and falls may require a multi-faceted diagnostic approach. Given the symptoms, a workup for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease should be considered. This includes a detailed patient and family interview regarding changes in memory and daily functioning, cognitive assessments, and possibly imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans to examine the brain structure. It is essential to rule out other causes of cognitive impairment, including metabolic and endocrine disorders, which would require blood tests.
Moreover, given the urinary incontinence, a urinary analysis or culture might be useful to check for infections like cystitis, commonly seen in elderly populations.
Comorbid factors, such as difficulty managing finances or mood changes like increased irritability, help reinforce the potential diagnosis of dementia. An evaluation by a geriatrician or a neurologist specializing in dementia could offer more detailed insights and guide the management plan. The patient's safety, including preventing falls and addressing incontinence, is paramount.