Alzheimer's Foundation of America

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America initiated National Memory Screening Day as part of its mission to provide "optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families"…and as part of its focus on "Together for Care…in addition to Cure."

National Memory Screening Day is one of the highlights of AFA's ongoing national effort to promote early detection of Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and to encourage appropriate intervention, including medical treatments, social services and other resources. AFA believes that memory screenings are a significant first step toward early diagnosis.

AFA carries out this event in collaboration with organizations and healthcare professionals across the U.S.—bringing them together for care. Participating sites offer free confidential memory screenings, as well as follow-up resources and educational materials to those concerned about memory loss.

National Memory Screening Day was introduced in November 2003, and is held each November. It takes place in November in recognition of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.

WHO SHOULD BE SCREENED?

Memory screenings make sense for anyone concerned about memory loss or experiencing warning signs of dementia; whose family and friends have noticed changes in them; or who believe they are at risk due to a family history of Alzheimer's disease or a related illness. Screenings also are appropriate for anyone who does not have a concern right now, but who wants to establish a base line score for comparison in the future.

These questions might help you decide. If you answer "yes" to any of them, you might benefit from a memory screening.

• Am I becoming more forgetful?
• Do I have trouble concentrating?
• Do I have difficulty performing familiar tasks?
• Do I have trouble recalling words or names in conversation?
• Do I sometimes forget where I am?
• Have family or friends told me that I am repeating questions or saying the same thing over and over again?
• Am I misplacing things more often?
• Have I become lost when walking or driving in a familiar neighborhood?
• Have my family or friends noticed changes in my mood, behavior, personality, or desire to do things?

WARNING SIGNS OF DEMENTIA:

• Trouble with new memories
• Relying on memory helpers
• Trouble finding words
• Struggling to complete familiar actions
• Confusion about time, place or people
• Misplacing familiar objects
• Onset of new depression or irritability
• Making bad decisions
• Personality changes
• Loss of interest in important responsibilities
• Seeing or hearing things
• Expressing false beliefs

THE PROCESS:

A memory screening is a simple and safe evaluation tool that assesses memory and other intellectual functions, and indicates whether additional testing by a qualified healthcare professional is necessary.

• Various types of healthcare professionals provide memory screenings, including social workers, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and doctors.
• The face-to-face screening takes place in a private setting; only the individual being tested and the clinician are present.
• A screening consists of a series of questions and/or tasks designed to test memory, language skills, thinking ability, and other intellectual functions. Screening tools include a Mini-Mental Status Exam, a Seven-Minute Screen and a clock drawing.
• The person who administers the screening will review the results with you, and suggest whether you should follow up with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional for more extensive testing.
• Results of the memory screenings are confidential. Typically, you will receive the screening results to bring to your healthcare professional or, with your permission, the clinician at the screening will send the results to your physician.

Note: A memory screening is not used to diagnose any particular illness and does not replace consultation with a qualified physician or other healthcare professional.