In simple words: This refers to a mild form of dementia where the underlying cause isn't known.It's at a stage where it's affecting the person's ability to handle more complex daily tasks like managing finances or medications.

Unspecified dementia, mild. This code signifies dementia of unknown cause with mild severity, impacting instrumental activities of daily living.

Example 1: A 70-year-old patient presents with gradual memory decline, particularly with remembering appointments.They have difficulty managing their finances but can still perform basic self-care. After ruling out other causes, a diagnosis of mild unspecified dementia is made., Following a head injury, a 55-year-old patient exhibits mild cognitive impairment.They struggle with complex tasks at work but maintain basic daily living skills. The dementia is attributed to the head injury, but the specific mechanism is unclear, leading to a diagnosis of unspecified dementia, mild. , An 80-year-old individual experiences progressive forgetfulness and mild confusion. While they can still dress and feed themselves, they have difficulty with tasks like cooking and using the telephone.After extensive testing, no specific cause for the dementia is identified, and a diagnosis of unspecified dementia, mild, is given.

Documentation should include detailed cognitive assessments, results of diagnostic tests (e.g., blood work, neuroimaging), functional evaluations, and a thorough history detailing the onset and progression of symptoms.

** This information is current as of December 2nd, 2024. Coding guidelines and medical coverage policies are subject to change, so it's important to consult the latest resources for the most up-to-date information.