Coinciding with November being National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, November 18th is recognized as National Memory Testing Day. Getting a memory screening is not just for those who are experiencing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, but is for those who also wish to see how their memory is now and for future comparisons. An estimated 5.3 million people over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s and 200,000 individuals under 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer’s. If you have a parent or sibling suffering from the disease, your risk of also developing the disease increases. Genetics, along with environmental factors, play a role in whether or not you are at risk.
The following questions are asked for those who feel they could be experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s. If you or anyone you know answers “yes” to one or more, it may be a good idea to go forward with a test.
- Do I have difficulty performing everyday tasks?
- Do I sometimes forget where I am or where I am going?
- Have family or friends told me that I repeat phrases or questions?
- Am I misplacing things more often?
- Have my family or friends noticed changes in behavior, personality, or desire to do things?
Participate in National Memory Testing Day by researching nearby clinics or hospitals that offer free memory screenings. You can also opt to take a self-administered screening that may not be as accurate but still informative. There are various tests including SAGE, Mini-Cog, and Neurotrack. For extra information and access to online tests, follow the link below.
