The realization that your loved one might see their memory slipping or even suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s is a difficult one. Nobody wants to think about the worst-case scenario, but you also need to make sure that you are getting them the level of care they need.
Luckily, you don’t have to make this decision based solely on your own thoughts. Some surveys have shown that only one in seven seniors have regularly been assessed for their memory and cognitive skills. It can be tough to explain to your loved one why you believe they should have their memory tested so knowing what to expect can often help.
What Can the Test Include?
Depending on the neurologist you visit and the healthcare facility, you could potentially be recommended one of the following tests:
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): Typically a 15-20 minute long test that will include memorizing certain words, identifying images of certain objects (often animals), and drawing specific items.
- Mini-Cog: Typically, this is the quickest of the three tests and might only take a few minutes. Your loved one will get a list of three-word objects and will also be asked to draw a clock.
- Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE): This test will normally take around 8-12 minutes and can include questions about dates, asking your loved one to count backwards, and naming objects they likely see daily (ex. Phone).
You won’t need to worry about prepping your parent for the test.
Knowing all these factors can help you have the conversation around why they need to have their memory tested. It can be helpful to make this an annual event before memory becomes an issue to avoid any future difficult conversations.