My Mother thinks that I am always keeping tabs on her memory. After working in senior care, I have seen first hand that early detection of memory loss can make a positive difference. I have seen senior’s memories improve after starting medications and developing a regular routine with a caregiver to guide them. I have also witnessed the agony that memory loss can cause for the senior and their loved ones, especially when proper diagnosis of the type of dementia occurs too late.
It greatly helps family relationships when everyone understands what is happening when the memory loss first begins. Sometimes during a conversation, my Mom will inform my Dad that I am really quizzing him on his memory. My father has a better memory than I do and so far so good with Mom. Her father suffered from memory loss, which was never formerly diagnosed as Alzheimer’s Disease, although now, looking back, we are all sure that it was. The early diagnosis and tests were not widely performed 20 years ago. I remember that my Grandfather would “read” the Wall Street Journal upside down,- which actually might not be a bad idea with the recent market turmoil -a different view might be nice. But that was just one example of some of the ongoing confusion he experienced.
On November 18th, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will offer free memory screenings at more than 2,000 local sites across the country as part of its 6th annual National Memory Screening Day.
This annual initiative is aimed at promoting early detection of memory problems and appropriate intervention.
The AFA encourages adults with memory concerns, a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or a desire to establish a baseline score for future comparison to get screened and to pick up educational materials about memory concerns, successful aging and local resources.
Alzheimer’s disease is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
The face-to-face screening takes approximately five minutes and consists of a series of questions and tasks. Sites, spanning all 50 states, include the entire chain of Kmart pharmacies, senior centers, houses of worship, assisted living facilities and doctor’s offices.
The results do not represent a diagnosis, and screeners encourage those with abnormal scores as well as those who still have concerns to pursue a full medical exam.
How are they able to pay for this? The drug companies are sponsors – so another good reason to take advantage of the free memory screening since you are sort of paying for it anyway through your medication purchases.
If you are a caregiver for a senior, find out if there is a location in your area.
For information about National Memory Screening Day, including screening sites, visit http://www.nationalmemoryscreening.org or call 866-AFA-8484.
