At What Age Can You Test Someone For The Signs Of Dementia
There is no one particular age that someone must meet before they can be assessed for signs of dementia, although dementia is more common in people over 65. Early-onset dementia can begin in people who are in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Diagnosing dementia in its early stages is important as early treatment can slow the progression of symptoms and help to maintain mental functions.
What Do I Do After I Take The Test
After you complete the test, take it to your primary care physician. Your doctor will score it and interpret the results. Your doctor may schedule some tests to further evaluate your symptoms or refer you for further evaluation.
If your score does not indicate any need for further evaluation, your doctor can keep the test on file as a baseline for the future. That means, you can take the test again in the future, and the doctor can see if there are any changes over time.
There is no answer sheet provided here for you to score yourself because there are multiple correct answers to many of the questions on the test. SAGE should be scored by your physician.
If you don’t have a primary care physician, view our list of primary care providers accepting new patients.
More Trustworthy Online Memory Tests
These tests are not used by doctors or for ongoing research, but are still worthwhile to consider.
MemTrax Memory Test
The MemTrax memory test was designed by John Wesson Ashford, MD, PhD, a Stanford University psychiatrist and neuroscientist.
He developed MemTrax as a memory screening tool to assist in the detection of learning and short-term memory issues that arise with age-related cognitive decline.
MemTrax measures your brains health over time so that you can judge if your forgetfulness is normal or the sign of a serious problem.
You can take the test for free or join their membership program for a nominal charge if youd like to use the test regularly to monitor the status of your memory over time.
Alzheimers Research & Prevention Foundation Memory Quiz
Alzheimers Research & Prevention Foundation is a registered charitable organization.
They have two quizzes on their website.
The first one is a 15-question Memory Quiz to help you determine if your memory loss might be serious.
This test was developed by the organizations founder Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD.
And since stress is a major cause of mental decline, they also have a Stress Assessment Quiz based on your current life situation.
You can tabulate instant results for each.
Psychology Today Memory Test
Psychology Today magazine has been in print since 1967.
They now have the #1 mental health website that gets tens of millions of visits every month.
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Discuss Test Results With A Doctor
Dont assume that the test results are equal to a diagnosis of any kind.
The SAGE test is a screening tool that helps doctors detect early signs of cognitive impairment that are typically not noticeable during a normal office visit.
When the test is repeated over time, doctors can watch for changes in cognitive ability. Being able to measure changes helps them detect and treat health conditions early.
Thats why its important to bring the completed test to the doctor to have it reviewed. If there are signs of cognitive impairment, they may recommend further testing.
Do I Have Alzheimers 5 Questions To Ask Yourself
Its no secret that youre getting older. Now that the years are adding up on you, you might be making jokes about telltale aging signs, like forgetting things or needing more sleep. To an extent, these small signs are just a normal part of the process. However, if youre noticing a lot of uncharacteristic memory problems or confusion, it might be time to take a step back. You could have Alzheimers disease, and heres how to tell.
The Big Picture
Alzheimers is a progressive, severe form of dementia that takes its toll on the sufferers everyday life. It usually starts with mild memory problems and hampered judgment, maybe forgetting one or two familiar names or misplacing things more regularly.
After a while, however, family members and loved ones start to notice that the uncharacteristic memory lapses arent just forgetfulness. They realize it could be something more serious, and thats when they start looking into Alzheimers.
Depending on how close the loved ones are to the aging person, though, the disease could have already progressed into the later stages. Many times, if people with Alzheimers are just honest with themselves about their confusion and abilities, they can recognize the disease at an earlier stage and combat it to stay more independent for longer.
According to the Alzheimers Association, an estimated 5.5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimers disease. As of right now, its also the 6th leading cause of death in the US.
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Early Warning Signs And Diagnosis
Alzheimers Disease can be caught in the early stageswhen the best treatments are availableby watching for telltale warning signs. If you recognize the warning signs in yourself or a loved one, make an appointment to see your physician right away. Brain imaging technology can diagnose Alzheimers early, improving the opportunities for symptom management.
What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment
MCI is a condition characterized by a minor decline in mental abilities. Often these changes are noticeable to the person experiencing them or family members or close friends but they are not severe enough to interfere with normal daily life and activities.
According to the Alzheimers Association, approximately 15 to 20 percent of people age 65 or older have MCI.
People living with MCI are more likely to develop Alzheimers disease or other dementias. According to Mayo Clinic, studies suggest that around 10 to 15 percent of individuals with MCI go on to develop dementia each year.
Symptoms of MCI are often vague but may include the following:
- Memory loss forgetting certain words
- Forgetting important events, like appointments
- Losing your train of thought in conversation, or when reading a book or watching a movie
- Becoming disoriented in familiar surroundings
- Becoming more impulsive or showing poor judgement
MCI does not always lead to dementia. In some individuals MCI reverts to normal cognition and in others the condition stabilizes and they experience no further decline in cognition.
Currently there are no medications for MCI, but establishing an early diagnosis can be important in managing and treating symptoms as they progress.
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How Does The Sage Test Work
SAGE evaluates your thinking abilities by asking you questions related to language, reasoning, problem-solving, and memory.
Scharre explains that the questions cover a wide range of cognitive domains, especially those abilities that are early predictors of mild cognitive impairment.
SAGE measures cognitive function by assessing the following areas:
- Orientation
- How many nickels are in 60 cents?
- Write down the names of 12 different animals
In addition to the scored items on the test, SAGE asks questions about your medical history, such as “Have you suffered a stroke?” The test asks if youve had a family history of cognitive impairment. Youre also asked about any current symptoms you may be having, such as problems with memory, balance, or if you’ve experienced any personality changes. These answers can help your clinician identify possible causes of cognitive decline.
What Are Next Steps After Taking It
After you complete the test you should take it to your healthcare provider, who can score the test very quickly, even within seconds, and give you immediate feedback.
According to Scharre your doctor may be able to glean that a specific part of your brain is not working as well as other parts depending on how you answer specific questions. That may help them in their diagnostic considerations,” he explains.
Depending on your test results, your primary care physician may schedule additional neurological tests or brain imaging magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography scans to rule out other conditions that may be impairing your thinking or memory, such as stroke, Parkinsons disease, brain tumor, or other illnesses, like hypothyroidism.
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How Will You Take A Look At For Alzheimers At Residence
The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination is an internet take a look at that guarantees to detect the early levels of Alzheimers illness or dementia. Developed by researchers at Ohio State College, the take a look at is designed to be carried out at residence after which taken to a doctor for a extra formal analysis.
Can Dementia Suddenly Get Worse
The progression of dementia depends on the underlying disease. Some diseases have a rapid progression. Others progress more slowly. Any sudden change with either slow or rapid progression should be evaluated for another cause. In most cases, changes with dementia may seem like they came out of the blue when they actually may have been slowly developing in the background. The best way to prepare for changes and manage expectations is through information. Your doctor and medical team will be a valuable resource. There are a variety of educational resources that are also available through the Alzheimer’s Association.
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How Long Do Dementia Patients Live After Diagnosis
Dementia symptoms typically progress slowly. People with dementia will progress from mild to severe dementia at varying speeds and may be diagnosed earlier or later in life. Some people with dementia may live for up to 20 years after their diagnosis, though according to the Alzheimer’s Association research shows that the average person lives for four to eight years after a diagnosis of dementia. It’s important to point out that the diagnosis of dementia is often missed, delayed, or diagnosed when the illness is moderate or advanced. The impact of that variable may not be accurately reflected in the research regarding the years of life post-diagnosis.
Why Early Detection Can Be Difficult
Alzheimers disease usually is not diagnosed in the early stages, even in people who visit their primary care doctors with memory complaints.
- People and their families generally underreport the symptoms.
- They may confuse them with normal signs of aging.
- The symptoms may emerge so gradually that the person affected doesnt recognize them.
- The person may be aware of some symptoms but go to great lengths to conceal them.
Recognizing symptoms early is crucial because medication to control symptoms is most effective in the early stages of the disease and early diagnosis allows the individual and his or her family members to plan for the future. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact a physician.
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Why Take The Sage Test
You may want to take SAGE if you are concerned that you might have cognitive issues. Or you may wish to have your family or friends take the test if they are having memory or thinking problems. The difficulties listed can be early signs of cognitive and brain dysfunction. While dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can lead to these symptoms, there are many other treatable disorders that also may cause these signs.
It is normal to experience some memory loss and to take longer to recall events as you age. But if the changes you are experiencing are worrying you or others around you, SAGE can be a helpful tool to assess if further evaluation is necessary.
Unfortunately, many people do not seek help for these kinds of symptoms until they have experienced them for several years. There are many treatable causes of cognitive and thinking loss, and in some cases, medications or other treatments can be very effective-especially if provided when symptoms first begin.
Remember that SAGE does not diagnose any specific condition. The results of SAGE will not tell you if you have Alzheimer’s disease, mini-strokes or any number of other disorders. But the results can help your doctor know if further evaluation is necessary.
Finding A Reputable Memory Test: What To Look For
Once youve found a memory test online, do the following before you start taking it.
First, browse around the website.
Look at the top and bottom of any site page for an about us page and contact information.
You want to see evidence that there is a credible organization or persons behind the test.
Any legitimate memory test will clearly state its affiliation with a university, group of neuroscientists, or nonprofit organization.
This will help assure that the test is supported by science and will not misuse your information.
Next, look for things like terms of use, disclosures, and privacy notices.
Not having these on any website is a red flag.
If you arent sure who is behind the test and how your information will be used, we recommend you skip it.
HOW’S YOUR MOOD?
Dr. Pat | Be Brain Fit
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How Do Medical Doctors Take A Look At For Early Onset Alzheimers
Getting a prognosis includes a medical examination and probably cognitive exams, a neurological examination and/or mind imaging. Contact your native Alzheimers Affiliation for a referral. Write down signs of reminiscence loss or different cognitive difficulties to share along with your well being care skilled.
What Your Doctor Can Do
But you may want to talk to your doctor about your results.
She may want to do a physical exam or discuss your current medications.
There are many underlying health conditions that can contribute to memory loss.
There are also hundreds of medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, that cause memory loss.
Once these are ruled out, your doctor may want to do her own cognitive assessment.
She may administer the SLUMS, SAGE, MMSE, 6CIT, TYM, or Mini-Cog test in her office.
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Preparing For A Doctor’s Visit
What Is Mixed Dementia
It is common for people with dementia to have more than one form of dementia. For example, many people with dementia have both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
Researchers who have conducted autopsy studies have looked at the brains of people who had dementia, and have suggested that most people age 80 and older probably have mixed dementia caused by a combination of brain changes related to Alzheimer’s disease,vascular disease-related processes, or another condition that involves the loss of nerve cell function or structure and nerve cell death .
Scientists are investigating how the underlying disease processes in mixed dementia start and influence each other. Further knowledge gains in this area will help researchers better understand these conditions and develop more personalized prevention and treatment strategies.
Other conditions that cause dementia-like symptoms can be halted or even reversed with treatment. For example, normal pressure hydrocephalus, an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, often resolves with treatment.
In addition, medical conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and delirium can cause serious memory problems that resemble dementia, as can side effects of certain medicines.
Researchers have also identified many other conditions that can cause dementia or dementia-like symptoms. These conditions include:
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Alkaline Water Shown To Have Neuroprotective Potential In Lab Study
There is currently no cure for Alzheimers known to medical science. However, a 2011 laboratory study suggests that alkaline water may have the potential to protect neural cells from oxidative damage. The study, called The neuroprotective effects of electrolyzed reduced water and its model water containing molecular hydrogen and Pt nanoparticles tested alkaline water to see if it protected nerve cells from oxidative damage. Researchers reported that alkaline water significantly reduced the cell death in laboratory testing. Which lead the researchers to conclude:
The results suggest that ERW is beneficial for the prevention and alleviation of oxidative stress-induced human neurodegenerative diseases.
This study was limited to lab testing however, it was not tested in humans. Any doctor will tell you that the inside of a human body is a lot more complicated than a petri dish! To confirm the results of this kind of study, clinical trials in humans would have to be conducted.
Life Ionizers urges you to talk to your doctor if you think you may be suffering from any kind of neurodegenerative disease, as there are medications that may slow the progress of the disease. The sooner you see your doctor, the better! If you are considering alkaline water, you should think of it as a healthy addition to your diet.
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