How to Prepare an Elderly Person for a Mini Mental Test

The Mini Mental State Exam is a brief, psychological exam that measures cognitive impairment. The MMSE is used to test a person's memory, and is administered to people at risk of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. The MMSE measures elements of cognitive functioning such as orientation, attention, calculation skills, recall, language and motor skills. Because the MMSE measures a person's basic cognitive functioning, it is not possible to prepare for the test questions. However, by understanding the different components of the MMSE and its use in diagnosing dementia and Alzheimer's disease, you can help an elderly person understand the usefulness of the test and prepare emotionally to take it.

Instructions

• 1

  Understand the purpose of the MMSE. The MMSE can be used to predict if an adult will develop Alzheimer's disease. The exam is generally given to adults over the age of 65 years, the time when Alzheimer's symptoms often start to occur. Talk to your healthcare provider about the different tests used to diagnose Alzheimer's and dementia. Doctors may want to run neurological tests, other memory tests and PET scans. Ask your healthcare provider about tests such as the MMSE, which can provide a baseline and measure cognitive functioning over time. The MMSE can be a helpful way to find symptoms of Alzheimer's and keep track of changes in the elderly person's memory.

• 2

  Get to know the reasons for the questions. The MMSE is made up of a series of questions and tasks. The examiner will use simple language and instructions. Questions measure orientation to time and place, registration or recall, naming, reading and writing. Many of the items are tasks that seem easy, such as repeating a series of words, counting or following simple commands. However, these tasks measure specific components of memory and cognitive functioning.

• 3

  Offer assurance. At first glance, questions on the MMSE may seem silly or even condescending. You can help the elderly person prepare for this aspect of the exam by explaining that these questions have a purpose and that all people being given this exam are asked the same questions. You may want to reassure the elderly person that there is no right or wrong answer to the questions and that he need only do his best.